New Delhi: Welcoming the Supreme Court's decision to put on hold the sedition law, the Congress on Wednesday said "free speech will not be throttled by autocrats and dictators masquerading as rulers".
The party's national General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala was quick to tweet the aforementioned comment, taking a swipe at the BJP-led Central government, also adding that suppressors and subjugators sitting in the citadels of power be forewarned.
He also said speaking truth could not be sedition and status quo would change.
In a historic decision, the Supreme Court on Wednesday observed continued use of sedition law was inappropriate until re-examination of the law was complete.
The court urged the Centre and states not to register any FIR under Section 124A dealing with the offence of sedition till review of the law was completed.
Alongside, the court in its direction asked to keep in abeyance all pending cases, appeals and proceedings based on charges framed for sedition.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, said, "a cognizable offence cannot be prevented from being registered, staying the effect may not be a correct approach and therefore, there has to be a responsible officer for scrutiny, and his satisfaction is subject to judicial review, " according to The Indian Express.