Freedom of Speech and Expression is being discussed everywhere in our country. It is one of six Fundamental Rights enshrined in the Constitution of India. Article 19 of the Constitution empowers every citizen of India to express his views, beliefs, convictions and ideas through the word of mouth, writing, picturing and the like with some reasonable restrictions imposed on it. In order to critically appreciate and elucidate freedom of speech and expression in totality against the requisite backdrop of its status quo, a deeper understanding of it is something that cannot be dispensed with.

First, its importance for an individual and the nation can be felt from the very fact that it is one of the Fundamental Rights, which are enforceable by law. In a nation where its citizens are not free to speak can never go in progressive manner. Secondly, freedom of speech and expression gives one freedom to express what he feels which is important for the healthy survival a person. Thirdly, freedom of speech and expression is one of the important pillars of an effective and sound democracy.

In this context it is worthwhile to consider all the rudimentary aspects of freedom of speech and expression in India with all its objectivities. There has been spate of incidents putting a question mark on the existence of freedom of speech and expression. The recent incident in Ramjas College in Delhi University where students used unlawful means to stop the other students from organizing a seminar.  Also the police action seemed to be politically motivated. This is nothing but sheer abuse of the freedom of speech and expression.

Also the criticism of an intellectually mature statement of Gurmehar Kaur “ Pakistan did not kill my father war killed him” by some eminent politician who are supposed to maintain the supremacy of the Constitution and the threats to Gurmehar Kaur on waging war against the hooliganism of ABVP is also an attempt to curtail the visionary importance of this right. Killings of writers like Kalburgi, Narendra Dabholkar , Govind Pansare is also indicative of the growing intolerance against the freedom of speech and expression.

On the other hand controversial statements of politically religious icons like Sakshi Maharaj, Asaduddin Owaisi, Subramaniam Swamy and many others that widen the existing gulf of religious disparity in the country show how this right is being misused. Use of abusive language in Bollywood movies, comedy shows and by the politician is a stigma on the sanctity of the right to freedom of speech and expression.

As is previously stated it all boils down to the fact that Freedom of Speech and Expression is a double edged sword. It can be used for promoting rational and scientific ideas and it can also be used for spreading communalism, superstition and castism. So, on the moral grounds it is our duty to make the constitutionally desired use of this valuable right. It should not be treated as an absolute right. For this it is necessary for us to keep in mind our Fundamental Duties while using our Fundamental Rights. Hate speeches must be condemned and social and scientific ideas must be allowed to propagate.