The CPI(M)-led Left front Government in Kerala on Monday decided to put on hold a controversial amendment to the Police Act as the law triggered a political storm across the country with many describing the measure as an assault on freedom of expression and media.
Shortly after CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury announced in New Delhi that the amendment providing for up to five years jail term to those making defamatory social media posts would be reconsidered, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said his government was not “intending” to implement it now.
Further action would be taken after detailed discussions in the Assembly and hearing views from various quarters, he said, with the announcement coming amid widespread criticism of the amendment and protests by Congress and threat by BJP to legally challenge it.
While the Government has said it brought the amendment through an ordinance to check cyberbullying, opposition parties and even Left sympathisers have slammed it, saying it was against the freedom of speech and media.
Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Ramesh Chennithala dubbed as a “hoax” Vijayan’s statement that his Government was not intending to implement the act and demanded that it be repealed at the earliest.
The ordinance has become a law when it was signed by the Governor and no one, even the Chief Minister, could say that a law would not be implemented once it comes into force.
“So, Vijayan’s statement that the amendment would not be enforced is only to deceive people,” the Congress leader alleged in a statement, adding police can still register cases under the section as long as it remains as a law.
Sources in the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) told PTI that either the State Cabinet will recommend to the Governor withdrawal of the ordinance or the Home Ministry will issue a direction to Police not to take any action under it.