2 Journalists Challenge "Colonial" Sedition Law In Supreme Court

Last week the Supreme Court, in a significant observation, called the British-era sedition law "colonial" and asked if it was still needed 75 years after Independence

Journalists Patricia Mukhim and Anuradha Bhasin moved the Supreme Court on Monday to challenge the constitutional validity of the sedition law. Ms Mukhim is a Meghalaya-based columnist and the editor of the Shillong Times. Ms Bhasin is the editor of the Kashmir Times. Earlier today, Leichombam Erendro, a Manipur-based activist arrested in May on sedition charges - for writing "cow dung and cow urine don't work" on Facebook - was released from jail after a Supreme Court notice that said his "detention (is a) violation of right to life and personal liberty". Journalist Kishorechandra Wangkhem, who was arrested at the same time as Mr Erendro and on the same charges, remains in jail. In their petition, Ms Mukhim and Ms Bhasin say the "use of sedition to intimidate, silence and punish journalists has continued unrestrained..."