The Supreme Court has declared Section 66A of the Information Technology Act as unconstitutional in a landmark decision. This landmark decision upholds the freedom of expression for the citizens without being concerned about being arbitrarily detained or having their online freedom restricted.

Section 66A of the Information Technology Act, of 2000 made it a punishable offence for any person to send offensive information using a computer or any other electronic device. The provision also made it punishable for a person to send information that they believed to be false.

The court’s ruling rests on the understanding that a thriving and functioning democracy depends on the freedom of speech and expression. Every citizen of this country enjoys this freedom through Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution. Section 66A was not only brutal, but it was also susceptible to being abused as it lacked precision and gave authorities wide discretion in how they chose to interpret its clauses.

The Supreme Court’s decision comes as a relief for many, including the petitioner Shreya Singhal, who fought valiantly to contest the validity of Section 66A. Her efforts, along with those of others who supported the cause, were successful in restoring confidence in the judiciary as the guardian of the constitution and protector of citizens’ rights. No civilization can advance or innovate if different viewpoints are suppressed or silenced. We must value and safeguard the various viewpoints since it is only through diversity that we can collectively shape a better future.

The court’s decision also ensures that there will be limitations in the government’s ability to suppress dissent and control information and the power of it is properly placed in the hands of the people. We all know that the Internet has become an important part of modern communication and protecting the right to freedom of expression is of the utmost significance.

While this ruling rightly respects citizen’s freedom of expression in the online space, it is also important to keep in mind that this freedom should only be employed in a responsible manner without fostering violence or hatred.