What’s obscene? What about free speech?
The Supreme Court, hearing the obscenity case against Ranveer Allahbadia on Monday, reiterated the right to free speech as well as its disinclination towards censorship. But it also said such a view wasn’t a licence for “depraved thoughts” and “filthy words”.
Sounds neat? But it isn’t. Obscenity is a criminal offence that invites jail-time and a fine. Yet, it is impossible to define it. Which is why it’s a constant tussle to decide if what’s perceived as ‘obscene’ ends up curtailing the right to free expression.
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Views expressed above are the author’s own.
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