Kerala Prime Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced on Monday that his government would suspend the controversial Kerala Police Amendment ordinance, which had drawn severe criticism of the CPI (M) government in the state and accusations that it was a measure. intended to “muzzle the media.”
In a brief statement on Monday, Vijayan said: “We have been forced to implement an ordinance in light of the serious cyberattacks against women and children. Many suicides and breakups occurred because of this. In view of the concern expressed from various sectors, we have decided not to go ahead ”.
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Furthermore, earlier in the day, Sitaram Yechury, the general secretary of the CPI (M), which is in power in Kerala, had repudiated the ordinance, noting that it did not represent the opinion of his party. On Sunday, amid mounting criticism of the ordinance, Prime Minister Vijayan defended it, saying the ordinance was guided by “the increasing abuse on social media against people and their personal freedom.”
“The new amendment will in no way be used against impartial journalism. Apprehensions to the contrary are unfounded, “he said in a statement. “Within the contours of our Constitution and legal framework, everyone has the right to make the loudest criticisms. The new amendment will not hinder that freedom in any way, ”the statement said.
Under the proposed amendment, which was signed by Governor Arif Mohammad Khan on Saturday, a police officer can suo motu register a case against a defendant and arrest him. In addition, anyone can file a complaint against the accused.
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Under the amendment, anyone who creates or submits information that is deemed “offensive” or is intended to “offend or threaten” another person through any means of communication can face a prison sentence of three years or a fine of 10,000 rupees. or both, according to amendment 118 (A) to the Police Act of 2011.
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