THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The
Kerala government’s decision to introduce a new section (118A) in the Kerala Police Act to check increasing abuse in social media and
cybercrime is “anti-democratic and fascist” as it will enable police to register cases against anyone, including the mainstream media, opposition leader
Ramesh Chennithala said on Thursday.
“If the government goes ahead with the ordinance, it will be fought legally as well as politically,” he said.
Allaying fears, chief minister
Pinarayi Vijayan said, “The amendment is not intended to curb creative freedom or to intervene in the right to free speech. It is a known fact that there are attempts to defame persons widely and there are demands for an effective legal remedy.”
Internet rights activists said the amendment was more draconian than 66A of the IT Act that was struck down by the Supreme Court.\