Unease in CPM over ordinance, BJP and Congress call it bid to gag free speech

In the face of widespread criticism and outrage over the Kerala government move to amend the law to mandate a jail term for any “offensive” social media post, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan claimed it would not be used against “free speech” or “impartial journalism”.

Few were buying this, with Opposition parties slamming the CPM-led ruling LDF for the “harsh and draconian” move to “gag the media”. Sources in Vijayan’s own party said the Chief Minister’s clarification came after intervention by the CPM central leadership. “There is considerable outrage…It becomes difficult to defend such an ordinance,” a Politburo member said.

The CPI, a constituent of the LDF in Kerala, is upset, too. A party leader said Vijayan should have taken the ally into confidence and that the issue will be taken up in the next alliance meeting.