In 2022, the Supreme Court suspended sedition law, recognising its misuse despite limits set in the Kedarnath Singh ruling
Yet, Assam Police filed sedition cases against The Wire journalists for reporting on comments about Operation Sindoor
The new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita retains sedition-like provisions, raising concerns about evading the court’s intent
Journalists were reportedly threatened with fresh sedition cases even after Supreme Court protection from arrest
Defamation too is misused, with politicians threatening journalists. Even Congress has invoked it despite Rahul Gandhi’s case
The way forward is legal reform. Sedition must be reviewed swiftly, and criminal defamation reconsidered to protect free media