‘Citizens need not say only what rulers like’: Justice Abhay Oka on free speech, protests

In a lecture on Articles 19(1)(a) and 21, former Supreme Court judge Justice Abhay S Oka said governments have failed to respect constitutional guarantees of free speech and expression, and dissenters are often prosecuted.

Oka criticized the criminalization of dissent, stating that citizens are not expected to say only what rulers like, and that democracy cannot survive unless criticism and peaceful protests are protected.

He cited cases involving denial of permission for protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, prosecution over a poem, and proceedings against stand-up comedians and a teacher, without naming individuals.