After the Paras Singh Arunachal Pradesh video controversy, I am compelled to say that many (and I mean, many) Indian YouTubers do not understand that in our Constitution, though the right to Freedom of Speech and Expression is fundamental, it is NOT absolute.
The right which guarantees every citizen to voice their opinion, criticize the government and question the authorities, comes with restrictions.
Article 19(2) mentions about ‘reasonable restrictions’ stating, “Nothing in the sub-clause (a) of clause (1) shall affect the operation of any existing law, or prevent the State from making any law, in so far as such law imposes reasonable restrictions on the exercise of the right conferred by the said sub-clause in the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of court, defamation or incitement to an offence.”
PS: As a reference, I am sharing an interesting article here.
It was written by Shreya Agarwal last year, who was then, a final year Post Graduate Diploma student of Media and Entertainment at Whistling Woods International, Mumbai.
Shreya interviewed me for her dissertation and later wrote the article for this site.