"Will reconsider sedition law": Union govt's U-turn in Supreme Court

New Delhi: The Union Home Ministry submitted before the Supreme Court that it is re-examining and reconsidering the sedition law, saying that it is in the spirit of the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' and in the Prime Minister's interest in protecting civil liberties as well as cutting colonial baggage, IANS reported.

"The Government of India, being fully cognizant of various views being expressed on the subject of sedition and also having considered the concerns of civil liberties and human rights, while committed to maintain and protect the sovereignty and integrity of this nation, has decided to re-examine and reconsider the provisions of Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code, which can only be done before the competent forum," said the affidavit.

But, it is curious that it was only two days ago government defended it before the top court.

The ministry said that the PM is aware of various views on the law, adding that he expressed his respect towards human rights and giving the freedom the Constitution guarantees to the people of the country. Instead of the Supreme Court investing valuable time examining the validity of Section 124A, it could wait until the government exercises reconsideration on it before an appropriate forum, constitutionally permitted, the ministry said.

According to PM, one of India's strengths is diverse through streams that flourish in the country, the ministry said. He believes that when the nation marks the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' or 75 years of independence, it needs to work harder to cut the colonial baggage, which was outdated.

Further, the ministry claimed that the government had scrapped 1,500 outdated laws since 2014-15, along with 25,000 compliance burdens which posed unnecessary hurdles to people.