INDIA
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday announced that the state government is putting on hold the controversial Kerala Police Amendment ordinance.
Cornered by a maze of scams and allegations, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan appears to have won round one with the media after coming out with the Kerala Police Act amendment, forcing the aggressive media to change tracks from the various scams to the new amendment, but after a huge backlash, Vijayan decided to not implement it in its present form.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday announced that the state government is putting on hold the controversial Kerala Police Amendment ordinance.
"With the announcement of the amendment, different views arose from different quarters. Concerns were expressed by those who supported LDF and those who stood for the protection of democracy. In this situation, it is not intended to amend the law," said Kerala Chief Minister.
"Detailed discussions in this regard will be held in the Assembly and further steps will be taken in this regard after hearing the views of all parties," he added.
On Monday morning, the entire top brass of the Congress leadership walked down the main road in the state capital and protested in front of the state secretariat.
Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala said Vijayan is trying to become another Hitler and under no circumstances would they allow this new law to become effective and minutes after the protests ended, came the news that Vijayan himself has decided against implementing it.
Earlier, the new amendment had come into effect from Sunday.
Off the blocks first was state BJP president K Surendran, who said he is moving the Kerala High Court against this draconian law.
In the new amendment, it empowers the police to slap criminal charges on people by interpreting any kind of communication through any medium as defamatory.
In the new 118 A amendment, any violator, be it in any media, including print and TV, online news, or social media, is liable for imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with a fine of Rs 10,000, or with both.
As soon as this new Act was passed, protests came from far and wide. With the sole exception of CPI-M, every other body has condemned it.
It was on Saturday late night that the news first surfaced about the media gag, which left many surprised as this has come from the Vijayan government, who time and again bats for the freedom of the press, not to mention about his regular statements on what happened during the Emergency.
State Law Minister AK Balan while trying to defuse the issue said, "At no cost will there be any gagging of the media and this is nothing but to put brakes on the abuse of people in the social media and the police can give bail immediately."
(With agency inputs)
'Committed to farmers' welfare', affirms Shivraj Singh Chouhan amid 'Delhi Chalo' protest
When will the world end? know the time and day predicted by famous scientist, NASA replies by...
India offers condolences after 56 lives lost in Guinea football tournament stampede
Nita Ambani once again proves her style icon status in black Prada dress, it costs Rs...
Pantone reveals the 'Colour Of The Year 2025'; Hint: It may remind you of coffee
Protesting farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' march halted at Shambhu border: 'The farmers do not have...'
Why do we sneeze? major causes, symptoms and cure
Radhika Merchant-Anant Ambani among ‘63 Most Stylish People Of 2024', NYT calls them ‘red carpet'
Nagaland Lottery Sambad 1 PM Result December 6 Friday lucky draw declared, check full list here
Ratan Tata’s millennial friend Shantanu Naidu's latest post on work update goes viral, it is...
Yo Yo Honey Singh Famous: Netflix documentary on rapper's life to release on this date
Sobhita Dhulipala's father 'was pissed' at her wedding with Naga Chaitanya, know why
Mahaparinirvan Diwas Today: Noida Police issues traffic advisory, check routes to avoid
Keerthy Suresh and boyfriend Antony Thattil fly to Goa together for their wedding, see photo
Why are Australia players wearing black armbands on Day 1 of Adelaide pink-ball Test against India?
IND vs AUS: Yashasvi Jaiswal registers unwanted record following duck in Adelaide pink-ball Test
Kerala Lottery Results December 6: Nirmal NR-409 Friday lucky draw result today, first prize Rs...
Farmers' March: Delhi Police on alert, security deployed at border points
Watch: Newlyweds Naga Chaitanya, Sobhita Dhulipala play ring game in UNSEEN viral video from wedding
Weather Update: Delhi wakes up to chilly morning as temperature drops to...
RBI MPC Meeting 2024: Repo rate unchanged at 6.5% for 11th time in a row
Pushpa 2: Allu Arjun, Sandhya theatre booked after stampede during screening kills 1
Delhi AQI: Air quality improves to ‘moderate’, SC relaxes GRAP-4 restrictions in Delhi-NCR
What are penalties for holding multiple PAN cards or not having PAN card? Know here
Shillong Teer Results TODAY December 6, 2024 Live Updates: Check lucky winning numbers, prize money
Ailing Vinod Kambli to get financial help from 1983 World Cup Heroes but with THIS condition...
Security heightened at Ambala-Delhi border as farmers to march towards Delhi today
Meet IPS officer who once headed CID, now suspended due to...
World’s shortest flight lasts just 90 seconds, it covers a distance of…
DNA TV Show: How did the premiere of Allu Arjun's Pushpa 2 turn deadly?
IND vs AUS: Australia announce playing XI for Adelaide pink-ball Test, star player dropped
Delhi schools to reopen tomorrow after curbs under GRAP 3, 4 lifted; check details
PAK vs ZIM, 3rd T20I: Brian Bennett stars as Zimbabwe stun Pakistan in low-scoring thriller
Delhi Pollution: Centre revokes restrictions under GRAP stage 3, 4; what's closed under GRAP 2
Bengaluru-Chennai Vande Bharat travel time to reduce by…; check top speed, other details
Meet man who has quit Falguni Nayar's Rs 47879 crore company as CEO after 9 years due to...
Jasprit Bumrah nominated for ICC Player of the Month award after stunning performance in Perth Test
Unable to stop hiccups? Here’s what to do
Noida Metro: Major update on Aqua Line extension, UP govt submits...
Former Miss India duped in ‘digital arrest’ scam, loses Rs 99,000
Days after Ratan Tata's death, his close aide Shantanu Naidu shares an update, says 'We will'
Uber ordered to pay Rs 54000 to Delhi man after failing to…
‘Not used to seeing my face like this’: Uorfi Javed gets chin fillers dissolved after 9 years
Meet man who left IIT to start his company at 19, became youngest in Hurun India Rich List, he is...
Which Diseases Can Cause Breathing Difficulty?
Legal Name Change Ads in Delhi: Process and Best Practices
Delhi pollution: SC allows relaxation of GRAP-4 restrictions in national capital as AQI improves
Bhuvneshwar Kumar returns to form after joining RCB, stuns Jharkhand with hat-trick in SMAT
EPFO new provident fund rules: Aadhaar no longer mandatory for...