farmers protest: Can’t impose treason clause to silence dissidents: Court

New Delhi: A Delhi court has made a major remark on sedition law. The treason clause cannot be used to silence dissidents in the name of curbing troublemakers. Additional Sessions Judge Dharmendra Rana made the remarks while posting fake videos on social media during the farmers’ agitation, spreading rumors and granting bail to two accused of treason.

Devilal Buddak and Swaroop Ram were granted bail by the court. The two were arrested earlier this month by Delhi Police on charges of spreading rumors and treason during the farmers’ agitation. The treason clause is a powerful weapon in the hands of the government for the purpose of maintaining peace and law and order in the society. But it should not be used to silence dissidents, the court said.

‘Sedition clause should not be used to silence dissidents under the pretext of silencing miscreants. “Any act of disturbing the peace and inciting violence is against the law,” the judge said in a February 15 order.

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“We suspect that action will be taken under Section 124 (a) against the accused for inciting violence or any kind of incitement and disturbing public peace,” he said in the order.

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What is Section 124-A?

Article 124-A of the Indian Penal Code states that if a person speaks or writes or in any other way incites hatred, enmity or contempt against the Government, his act shall be classified as treason.