Question 1 · 10 marks · 81 words written
Opening · a constitutional or legal provision
Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution envisages the most essential fundamental right of freedom of speech & expression (FOSE) with reasonable restrictions in Art 19(2).
Part-1 Write importance of FOSE in democracy:-
Body · points and prose
- Central node: FOSE Corrodes
- Branches from node:
- Curbing Dissent -> UAPA / Sedition
- Regulation over Social Media -> Internet ban in J&K
- Threatning to life -> Mob lynching
- Contempt Cases -> PN Dua
- Bottom box: Fose corrosion -> Crumbling of Democracy
Dissent is the safety valve of Democracy - Justice Chandrachud -> Curbing it would be death of Democracy
Affects the impartiality, neutrality and objectivity of the institutions
* Eg: Media (Press) - 4th pillar of democracy
* Corroding democratic morality
- Integrity and Transparency of the institutions compromised
* Eg: Curbing freedom of Judiciary leading to death knell of Democracy
* Way forward
* Consensus based approach
* Constructive Criticism enriches democracy
* liberty of thought, expression & belief
Close · a summary
Thus we need maximising the FOSE and minimise its corrosion for vibrant democracy