Freedom of Speech and Expression; Indian Constitution: an Overview

The Constitution of India gives a free democratic government to its people. Freedom of speech and expression is a sacred icon in the Constitution’s inner sanctum, which has been provided to the people in the Fundamental Rights chapter. This freedom is a central tenet of India’s constitutional faith. The members of the constituent Assembly had seen the oppressive and discriminatory regime of the Britishers. They all valued Freedom and Liberty. Textually, it is recognized in article 19 that also lists certain other fundamental freedoms that Indian citizens enjoy. Clause (1) (a) of that article protects free speech. With the help of some early cases involving Freedom of Speech and Expression, my paper would try to emphasize the importance of Freedom of Speech and Expression in any society and political set up. Prior restraint in the form of censorship is really a big challenge to the right of freedom of speech and expression, because in such a case, the creativity of the author may not see the light of the day. My Paper would focus on the fact that, the freedom of speech is the first pre-requisite of liberty. It occupies a preferred and important position in the hierarchy of the liberty, it is truly said about the freedom of speech that it is the mother of all other liberties. Freedom of Speech and expression means the right to express one's own views and opinions freely by words of mouth, writing, printing, pictures or any other mode. In present times, it is widely accepted that the right to freedom of speech is the essence of free society and it must be protected at all time. The first principle of a free society is a free flow of words in an open forum. Liberty to express opinions and ideas without hindrance, and especially without fear of punishment plays a vital role in the development of that particular society and ultimately for that state. It is one of the most important fundamental freedom liberties guaranteed against state suppression or regulation.