Pursuing Unity Through Lathis: The Pitfalls Of Arming The State To Secure Social Harmony

Two sections of the colonial-era Indian Penal Code—153-A (whipping up tensions between groups) and 295-A (to curb offensive speech relating to religious feelings)—were used to preserve public order during the days of Empire. In the 1960s, during a fractious time, they were widened to secure India’s unity. Today, it is clear that this gambit has failed, with these provisions being used to quell discordant speech to secure order rather than unity.