Netizens praise SC for striking down section 66A of IT Act

After the Supreme Court struck down the controversial section 66A of the IT Act, Internet users across the country took to Twitter to appreciate the landmark judgment.

On Tuesday, hearing a batch of petitions filed challenging the constitutional validity of certain provisions of cyber law, the apex court bench headed by justices J Chelameswar and R F Nariman scraped the section 66A of the IT Act terming it as unconstitutional.

"The liberty of thought and expression is cardinal. The public's right to know is directly affected by section 66A of the Information Technology Act," observed the apex court bench.  

The section 66A of the IT Act allows the police to arrest a person, who was accused of posting "offensive" content online. This provision was widely misused by influential people, sparking concerns over freedom of expression in the country.

Here are some of the reactions to the landmark SC judgement:

#SC strikes for freedom of speech. Scraps #Sec66A

— SonaliRanade (@sonaliranade) March 24, 2015

The only exception to free speech must remain hate speech and incitement to violence. Defamation/slander as per common law. #Sec66A

— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) March 24, 2015

Glad to know that I live in a free country. No #Sec66A as SC strikes it down. Super happy. Go on, troll away.

— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) March 24, 2015

Though I'd love to throw the book(and other things) at serial abusers on my T/L,in a democracy they have a right to their idiocy #Sec66A

— RPN Singh (@SinghRPN) March 24, 2015

Good riddance to #Sec66A a law manipulated to serve political ends. The SC should be complimented. And please publicise the entire verdict.

— Pankaj Pachauri (@PankajPachauri) March 24, 2015

An occasion to reinforce faith in our systems as #SupremeCourt strikes down #Sec66A

— Shaili Chopra (@shailichopra) March 24, 2015

Time to give it back to all those who misused #Sec66A.

— Dr Neelu Goswami (@NeelakshiGswm) March 24, 2015

#Sec66A Most politicians: Suggested 66A. Approved of 66A. Defended 66A. Fought for 66A. Now celebrating that it has been struck down. Dei.

— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) March 24, 2015

Some exceptions to provisions are hate speech, Incitement of violence,defamation. #Sec66A sensible.Trolls hold on to the celebrations yet:)

— Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) March 24, 2015