One step back

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan may have dodged a bullet by agreeing with the CPI(M) high command to reconsider the draconian Ordinance amending the Kerala Police Act. The Ordinance, which was signed with unusual alacrity by Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan on Saturday, added Section 118A to the Act and mandated a five-year jail term, a Rs 10,000 fine, or both, for anyone sending offensive, humiliating, or threatening messages. Mr Vijayan claimed that the Ordinance, which had been cleared by the Cabinet as far back as October 31, was aimed at protecting the women in the state from online harassment,