'No reason to invoke criminal justice': CJP on protesters' derogatory remarks
A spokesperson for the CJP party argued that while derogatory speech is regrettable, using the criminal justice system against protesters creates a dangerous chilling effect. This follows a police FIR filed against a woman for allegedly insulting the Indian Prime Minister.
Why it matters
It touches on the tension between freedom of speech and the enforcement of laws regarding public dignity and political criticism.
NEW DELHI: Reacting to the alleged use of derogatory remarks by CJP protesters during the Jantar Mantar agitation, party spokesperson Saurav Das said those offended by such language were free to pursue legal remedies for defamation but argued that criminal proceedings against protesters over objectionable speech were not appropriate."If any language used was derogatory in nature, then the person concerned is free to pursue civil and criminal defamation proceedings against the individual concerned. However, the use of the criminal justice machinery against protesters is highly condemnable, and no one should be punished merely for using objectionable language.""The language may be wrong, and it may be objectionable to someone, but that is no reason to invoke the criminal justice machinery against such people. It creates a chilling effect.
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