Mr. Varun Sharma and Mr. Abhishek Goyal
L&L Partners Law Offices
Democracy thrives on dissent and citizens’ participation. In fact, a democratic form of government demands that its citizens take an active and intelligent part in the affairs of the community for it to be truly termed as a “government of the people, by the people, for the people”. The Honorouble Supreme Court in S. Rangarajan v. P. Jagjivan Ram, observed, “Public discussion with Peoples participation is a basic feature and a rational process of democracy.” It is universally recognized that freedom of thoughts and expression is an inalienable right and forms one of the pillars of individual liberty and democracy. Free speech acts as a device to ensure transparency and awareness, much needed in a Democracy, for its citizens to make informed choices.
Keywords: Hate speech, Freedom of speech and expression, Fundamental rights, Indian Constitution, Democracy and freedom
Preferred Citation: