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Abuse of Right to Free Speech on Social Media Increasing: Supreme Court
INDIA, JUL 14 – The Supreme Court emphasized self-restraint and proposed guidelines to reduce divisive social media content while preserving free speech as a fundamental right, Justice Nagarathna said.
- On July 14, 2025, the Supreme Court, led by Justices Nagarathna and Viswanathan, addressed the rising abuse of free speech on social media in India.
- This hearing followed the arrest of Wazahat Khan on June 9 and multiple FIRs across several states triggered by his posts against a Hindu deity on X.
- The Court extended interim protection to Khan until the next hearing while emphasizing the need for citizens to exercise self-restraint and uphold reasonable speech restrictions under Article 19 .
- Justice Nagarathna emphasized the importance of the public recognizing the significance of the fundamental right to free speech and expression, and urged that harmful and divisive behaviors on social media should be controlled through self-discipline.
- The Court’s deliberations suggest future guidelines may regulate offensive posts to balance the fundamental right with social harmony and reduce legal system burdens from speech abuse.
17 Articles
17 Articles
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New Delhi, Jul 14 (PTI) The Supreme Court on Monday said citizens must know the value of the right of freedom of speech and expression, and exercise self restraint as it mulled guidelines to regulate offensive social media posts. A bench comprising Justices B V Nagarathna and K V Viswanathan was hearing a plea of […]
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