War of words erupts in Lok Sabha over rise in sedition cases

Sedition cases registered across India almost doubled from 47 in 2014 to 93 in 2019, with few reaching the conviction stage, the government told the Lok Sabha, prompting the Opposition to allege misuse of the provision.

Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy, responding to a supplementary question during the Question Hour, told the Lok Sabha that 47 cases of sedition were registered in 2014, 30 in 2015, 35 in 2016, 51 in 2017, 70 in 2018 and 93 in 2019.

The minister said there was no direct involvement of the Centre in the registration of sedition cases as the matter was within the ambit of the state government.

Also Read | JNU sedition case: Court directs Delhi Police to give copies of charge sheet to Kanhaiya Kumar

Congress member A Revanth Reddy sought details about the cases registered against climate activist Disha Ravi and against farmers involved in the violence in the national capital on Republic Day. Congress member Manish Tewari pointed towards the low conviction rate of sedition cases and accused the government of misusing the provision to curb free speech. “In 2014, out of 47 cases registered, there was one conviction. In 2015, out of 30 cases registered, there was zero conviction. In 2016, out of 35 cases registered, there was one conviction. In 2017, out of 51 cases registered, there is one conviction. In 2018, out of 70 cases registered, there are two convictions. In 2019, out of 93 cases registered, there is one conviction,” Tewari said.

Also Read | Dissent not sedition. Thank you, SC

Union Minister G Kishan Reddy hit back and accused the Congress of “misusing” powers to imprison leaders such as Jayaprakash Narayan and L K Advani under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act and misusing TADA, the anti-terrorism law, in the 1980s. “Congress has no right to lecture us about misuse of laws… Congress has no right to speak about democracy,” the minister said.

The minister said no charge sheet has been filed yet in the Disha Ravi case which was still under investigation.