PAPER ID:IJIM/Vol. 10 (III)/ /July/30-38/4

AUTHOR: Dr Deepa Kaushik ^[I]  Prakhar Raj Rastogi^[II]

TITLE :THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF SEDITION LAW IN INDIA

ABSTRACT: Sedition, a colonial-era law embedded in Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code, has long been a contentious subject in Indian constitutional discourse. Originating under British rule to suppress dissent and nationalist movements, this law criminalizes expressions—spoken, written, or symbolic—that incite disaffection against the government. Over time, its broad application has drawn severe criticism for undermining democratic freedoms, with historical figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Bal Gangadhar Tilak among its early targets. Despite the UK repealing sedition laws in 2009, India continues to debate its relevance. The newly proposed Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, seeks to replace existing criminal codes but is criticized for further expanding state power by omitting key safeguards like the incitement to violence test. Through an analysis of key legal cases and historical developments, this paper explores the evolution, misuse, and contemporary implications of sedition law in India, advocating for reform aligned with democratic values and freedom of expression.

KEYWORDS : Sedition, Section 124A IPC, Freedom of Speech, Colonial Law, Disaffection, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Mahatma Gandhi, Public Order, Constitutional Law, British Raj, Democratic Rights, Indian Penal Code, Niharendu Dutt Majumdar Case, Legal Reform.

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