Farmer protests: India's sedition law used to muffle dissent

The charges recently filed against a young Indian protester under a law which prohibits inciting disaffection against the government has focused attention on a highly controversial colonial-era statute. So what is the law that has been used against 22-year-old Disha Ravi, and is its use on the increase in India? This is a section of the Indian Penal Code which criminalises any action that "excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards the government". The punishment can be a fine or a maximum sentence of life in prison, or both.

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