FLAIR TALK Magazine - April 2016

In this issue

Saudi journalist sentenced for 5 years for anti-Government Tweets! Students arrested in Delhi over anti-national slogans! Mumbai girls arrested over Facebook comments on death of a prominent leader! What have we come to? Freedom of speech and expression has often been in a fight with Rule of Law, at least in nations like ours, where, with diversity comes a sea of diverse opinions and mindsets. With the present generation of technology, spread of information is faster than the speed with which young minds understand things and consequences thereof. Which means, with incomplete knowledge, youngsters involve themselves in dialogue which may prove harmful for them or hurt the sentiments of others. But in a country run by Rule of Law, one also has to understand that everyone has a right of opinion, which may not be in consonance with the views of others and with freedom of speech and expression, he has a right to propagate that view, with reasonable restrictions kept in mind of course. The question is when a small section of society takes exception to your views, perhaps based on rumours also, how to protect your freedom of speech? Also, to what extent, you are allowed to express your anguish over the working of system and highest judicial offices of the nation? These and many more questions in light of recent controversies are discussed in the cover story written by Advocate Vedchetan Patil.