The Hindu editorial on 20/08/2025 presents a harsh critique of the new sedition law and its potential for misuse, further challenging the freedom of expression. It argues that filing cases without proper evidence has been a practice in many states ruled by intolerant politicians. The Assam police filed a case against two veteran journalists, founding editor Siddharth Varadarajan and consulting editor Karan Thapar of The Wire under Section 152 is a recent example of curtailing press freedom. The summons were issued without the FIR's date and details of the charges, and on the same day, the journalists received a protection order from the apex court. The editorial also highlights certain dangerous provisions in Section 152 due to its vague language and undefined terms. It warns that without definitive judicial intervention, individuals can be charged for merely expressing opinions that authorities find threatening. Hence, the onus is on the court to recognize the unconstitutionality of sedition laws, which have no place in a democracy.
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