Sedition in India

On 18 August, an Indian man refused to stand for the playing of the national anthem in the cinema. He has now been charged with sedition, insulting the Indian national flag and Constitution, and preventing the singing of the national anthem. He faces a life sentence if convicted.

This shows us what sedition laws are really used for: suppressing dissent and enforcing mandatory displays of loyalty. They are an affront to freedom of expression and an affront to the basic right to disagree with the government. The fact that India is still applying them shows that it is a backward nation which does not respect basic political freedoms.