Won't be used against free speech: Kerala CM on Police Act amendment

After the criticism over the controversial Kerala Police Act Amendment ordinance, CM Pinarayi Vijayan said the amendment to Kerala Police Act "will not in any way be used against free speech or impartial media activity". He added, "Anyone is free to make any strong criticism within the limits of the Constitution and the legal system." Apart from media freedom, It's the government's responsibility to "protect individual liberty", he said.

The Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan signed the Kerala Police Act Amendment ordinance on Saturday to curb growing attacks on social media against women and children.

Under the latest ordinance, posting, publishing or circulating defamatory content on social media can lead to jail upto five years and fine up to Rs 10,000.