మాట్లాడే స్వేచ్చ మనకున్నా | Prof Ghanta Chakrapani About Freedom of Speech in India | G8 News

Описание: మాట్లాడే స్వేచ్చ మనకున్నా | Prof Ghanta Chakrapani About Freedom of Speech in India | G8 News

Prof. Ghanta Chakrapani is a noted academician, political scientist, and public intellectual, widely respected for his contributions to higher education, social justice discourse, and democratic values in India. He has served as the Vice Chancellor of a public university (notably Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Open University, Hyderabad), where he played a significant role in strengthening inclusive education and expanding access to learning for marginalized communities.

With a strong academic background in political science, Prof. Chakrapani has consistently engaged with issues such as constitutional democracy, social equality, human rights, Dalit–Bahujan perspectives, and public policy. His writings and public lectures reflect a deep commitment to Ambedkarite ideology, critical thinking, and the defense of democratic freedoms.

As Vice Chancellor, he emphasized:
Democratization of higher education
Access to education for working-class, rural, and marginalized students
Academic autonomy and institutional transparency
Promotion of critical inquiry and social responsibility

Beyond administration, Prof. Ghanta Chakrapani is known for his fearless articulation of views on freedom of speech, authoritarian tendencies, and the role of universities in a democracy. His voice remains influential in academic circles, civil society discussions, and public debates across Telangana and India.

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Constitutional Guarantee
India’s Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a).
However, it is not absolute. The state can impose “reasonable restrictions” under Article 19(2) in the name of:

Sovereignty and integrity of India
National security
Public order
Decency and morality
Contempt of court, defamation, incitement to violence
This balance is the core of the debate today.

Ground Reality: Shrinking Space
In recent years, many journalists, writers, activists, students, and artists argue that the space for dissent has reduced.

Key concerns include:
Arrests and cases against journalists and activists for critical views
Use of UAPA, sedition (now kept in abeyance), NSA, and other stringent laws
FIRs for social media posts, cartoons, poems, and protest speeches
Pressure on independent media through raids, advertisements, and ownership changes
Critics say these actions create a “chilling effect”, where people self-censor out of fear.

Media Freedom:
Mainstream media is often accused of being pro-government
Investigative journalism faces legal and financial pressure
Independent digital media survives but under constant scrutiny
International indices frequently show India slipping in press freedom rankings, which raises global concern.

Social Media: Freedom vs Surveillance
Social media has become a powerful platform for expression, especially for marginalized voices.
At the same time:
Posts are monitored
Content takedowns are frequent
Accounts are suspended or blocked
Internet shutdowns are used during protests or unrest
This raises questions about digital free speech and state control.

Judiciary: A Mixed Role

The judiciary has:
Defended free speech in several landmark judgments
Also allowed restrictions citing public order and security
Many cases remain pending for years, which itself becomes a punishment.

Voices of Resistance

Despite constraints, India still witnesses:
Strong student movements
Farmers’ protests
Dalit, Adivasi, feminist, and minority voices
Independent journalists and fact-checkers
This shows democracy is contested, not dead, but under stress.

Overall Assessment

On paper: Freedom of speech exists
In practice: It is uneven, selective, and increasingly conditional
The key issue is not just law, but how laws are used
Many scholars describe India today as a “democracy with shrinking civic space.”