TRICHY: The Supreme Court verdict striking down Section 66A of Information Technology Act received overwhelming support from the public here. The provision allowed police to arrest anyone for posting offensive comments on social media.
Legal experts welcomed the verdict, commenting that there were enough laws under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) to deal with any violation on social media.
"If there is a violation in anyone's comments, police can prosecute them by invoking other laws available under IPC after closely analysing the comment. Otherwise, Section 66A would restrict the freedom of expression. The Supreme Court's move is welcome," said S Martin, president of Tiruchirappalli Bar Association.
"Anyone has the right to criticise anything, without which no change will happen. Section 66A of IT Act was misused by powerful people against anyone for posting comments against them. The order of the apex court to scrap the section is commendable. Freedom of expression is our right, but it should not interfere into others' feelings," said Paul Guna Loganath, social activist.
Academicians too, welcomed the verdict. "The actions of public personalities can be subject to comments from anyone. Instead of replying to such comments, whether positive or negative, they should not use the law to take action against them. However, there must be discipline in the way we comment," said D Rajkumar, principal of Sudarshana Vidya Vikas, Pudukkottai.
"The abolition of Section 66A can be considered a landmark in law. Arresting anyone based on what they have posted online cannot be accepted. The country gives us the fundamental right of speech," said Aravindh Neelakantan, a final year student at NIT-T.
"Now, people can freely express their views on the social media. Ultimately, let truth prevail. Goodbye to Section 66A of the Information Technology Act. A welcome judgment, for sure," said Balaji Muthukumar, founder of NammaTrichy.com.
Legal experts welcomed the verdict, commenting that there were enough laws under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) to deal with any violation on social media.
"If there is a violation in anyone's comments, police can prosecute them by invoking other laws available under IPC after closely analysing the comment. Otherwise, Section 66A would restrict the freedom of expression. The Supreme Court's move is welcome," said S Martin, president of Tiruchirappalli Bar Association.
"Anyone has the right to criticise anything, without which no change will happen. Section 66A of IT Act was misused by powerful people against anyone for posting comments against them. The order of the apex court to scrap the section is commendable. Freedom of expression is our right, but it should not interfere into others' feelings," said Paul Guna Loganath, social activist.
Academicians too, welcomed the verdict. "The actions of public personalities can be subject to comments from anyone. Instead of replying to such comments, whether positive or negative, they should not use the law to take action against them. However, there must be discipline in the way we comment," said D Rajkumar, principal of Sudarshana Vidya Vikas, Pudukkottai.
"The abolition of Section 66A can be considered a landmark in law. Arresting anyone based on what they have posted online cannot be accepted. The country gives us the fundamental right of speech," said Aravindh Neelakantan, a final year student at NIT-T.
"Now, people can freely express their views on the social media. Ultimately, let truth prevail. Goodbye to Section 66A of the Information Technology Act. A welcome judgment, for sure," said Balaji Muthukumar, founder of NammaTrichy.com.
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