The Supreme Court of India has ruled that public figures holding high constitutional offices cannot target any community based on religion, caste, language or region. The Court stressed that freedom of speech cannot be misused to vilify or denigrate any section of society.
The Kerala High Court granted anticipatory bail to film director Akhil Marar for his controversial comments on the Indo-Pak conflict. The court upheld freedom of speech, stating that expressions without direct calls for rebellion do not constitute a crime. Marar claimed his remarks were misconstrued and relevant to public knowledge.
Supreme Court Justice Surya Kant stressed the necessity of safeguarding free speech, especially for journalists and the media. He emphasized the crucial link between freedom of speech and leading a dignified life, and the courts’ disapproval of attempts to curtail this right. The event also featured discussions on protecting the media’s rights within constitutional limits.
