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Thiruvananthapuram:
A controversial transfer in Kerala to allow arrests for content material or social media posts deemed “offensive” has been placed on maintain after a extreme backlash. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stated right now that the modification to the Kerala Police Act “will not be implemented”.
“With the announcement of the amendment, different views arose from different quarters. Concerns were expressed by those who supported LDF and those who stood for protection of democracy. In this situation, it’s not intended to amend the law,” Pinarayi Vijayan stated.
He added: “Detailed discussions will be held in the assembly and further steps will be taken in this regard after hearing the views of all parties.”
There has been huge criticism of the Kerala authorities’s transfer, which the opposition had stated may very well be used to suppress free speech, silence critics and goal the media.
On Sunday, in an in depth defence of his authorities’s transfer, the Chief Minister had stated the modification to the Kerala Police Act “will in no way be used against free speech or impartial journalism”.
An ordinance or particular order signed by Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Saturday sought to punish these responsible of spreading content material by any means (together with social media) that was stated to be derogatory or defamatory. Offenders might resist three years in jail, a positive of Rs 10,000 or each.
Mr Vijayan stated the state had an obligation to guard people’ liberty and dignity, however that no motion can be taken in opposition to the media or critics who keep “within the limits of the Constitution”.
“The new amendment will in no way be used against free speech or impartial journalism. Apprehensions to the contrary are unfounded,” the Chief Minister’s Office stated.
“Along with ensuring freedom of press, the Government also has the responsibility of upholding a citizen’s individual freedom and his/her dignity, as enshrined in the Constitution. The popular idea that one’s freedom ends where the other’s nose begins needs to be respected. However, there have been instances of this idea being repeatedly violated,” the CMO assertion added.
Referring to “the use of personal likes, or dislikes, political or non-political interests… to unsettle the peaceful atmosphere of families… to settle scores”, the Chief Minister stated in his assertion that such assaults didn’t fall underneath the class of journalism and have been “personal vendetta”.
Mr Vijayan stated his authorities had “repeatedly received complaints against the misuse of social media, especially by certain online channels”.
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