INDIAN JOURNALISTS UNION (IJU)
Regd.Off. F-29, Shankar Market, Connaught Circus, New Delhi- 110001; Address for Correspondence : Office of the Secretary General, IJU, Media Centre, 7/411(1) Fine Arts Society Building, Tharekkad, Palakkad – 678001, Kerala State
B.R. Prajapati G. Prabhakaran President Secretary General Mobile : 9898571947 Mobile : +919447078870 Email : gujaratjournal@gmail.com Email : pkdprabha@gmail.com
Press Statement
The Indian Journalists’ Union (IJU), the premier organisation of media persons in the country, urged the Chief Minister, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan, and the Kerala government to reconsider its decision to amend the Kerala Police Act (2011) to include provisions that will give unbridled powers to the police in initiating action against not only cyberspace bullies but also the media.
The media organisations are highly critical of the government’s proposed amendment as they feared that the amendment would curtail the freedom of the press and free expression guaranteed by the constitution.
The human rights activists has also raised concerns that the powers given to the police through the amendment would be misused against democratic freedom and basic rights. The amendment also entrusts powers on the police to register a case, suo motu. This power might turn out to be a dangerous turning point in modern legal system and law and order enforcement. The past history of police actions show that such concerns were not out of place.
The amendment could cause a chilling effect on the freedom of speech and expression in Kerala. The proposed amendment could be used by law enforcement agencies to curb dissent and clamp down on legitimate criticism of authorities and individuals.
Thus the IJU requested the Kerala government to reconsider its move to amend the Kerala Police Act 2011.
B.R. Prajapati, President & G. Prabhakaran, Secretary General, IJU, New Delhi, October 28, 2020.