Provisions under the sedition law – proposed to be scrapped – will be retained in Section 150 for act of endangering the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.

The sedition law “will be completely repealed”, Union Home Minister Amit Shah told Parliament on Friday as he introduced three bills aimed at overhauling the criminal justice system. Provisions under the sedition law – proposed to be scrapped – will be retained in Section 150 for acts of endangering the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.

Currently, sedition draws a punishment of life imprisonment or with a jail term which may extend to three years. The new provision changes the three-year imprisonment to 7 years.

“Everyone has the right to speak. We are completely repealing sedition,” the Home Minister said as he moved the bills in Parliament.

The term ‘sedition’ has been removed in the new bill and the provision has been retained under Section 150 with some changes.

“Whoever, purposely or knowingly, by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or by electronic communication or by use of financial mean, or otherwise, excites or attempts to excite, secession or armed rebellion or subversive activities, or encourages feelings of separatist activities or endangers sovereignty or unity and integrity of India; or indulges in or commits any such act shall be punished with imprisonment for life or with imprisonment which may extend to seven years and shall also be liable to fine,” the new provision states.

News Mania Desk