No Sec 66A on the Internet; Bollywood rejoices!

The Supreme Court’s verdict on striking down Section 66 A which curbed freedom of speech on social media is welcome by the Internet fraternity…

The nation seemed like a gloomy, offended place ever since episodes like the AIB controversy, Censor Board ban on cuss words, cancellation of Russel Peters’ show and more happened. But the Supreme Court showed us a silver lining today as it scrapped the Section 66A which curbed freedom of speech on social media till now. It was removed on the grounds on being ‘unconstitutional’ after a 21 year old girl Shreya Singhal filed a PIL against the law.

So what is Sec 66A? Read on…

Any person who sends, by means of a computer resource or a communication device,—

(a) any information that is grossly offensive or has menacing character; or

(b) any information which he knows to be false, but for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience, danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred or ill will, persistently by making use of such computer resource or a communication device,

(c) any electronic mail or electronic mail message for the purpose of causing annoyance or inconvenience or to deceive or to mislead the addressee or recipient about the origin of such messages, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term, which may extend to three years and with fine.

The apex court of India has scrapped this law and Bollywood is welcoming this change. Here are some reactions…

Madhur Bhandarkar: Landmark judgement by Hon Supreme Court as it strikes down Sec 66A of IT Act. Freedom of thought & expression rightly upheld in a democracy.

Sanjay Gupta : Sec66A S C R A P P E D. Now this is good news

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

Pritish Nandy: Section 66A of the IT Act, the noxious, draconian law has been struck down by the Supreme Court. Restores our faith in democracy.

Vishal Dadlani: Congratulations to the Supreme Court, for stopping the impending political misuse of Sec. 66A. Free-speech wins a battle. The war, remains.

Gul Panag: This judgement will hopefully set a trend for the future in other cases like those pertaining to Sec 377. #66A

Tanuj Garg: Well done SC for striking down #Sec66A . Looking forward to people’s pent-up aching humor that’s waiting to get unleashed on social media.

What are your thoughts on the scraping of Sec 66A? Let us know in the comments section below!

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