Dev Priya Tarar & Preha Nagpal, LL.M. Symbiosis Law School, Pune
ABSTRACT
Freedom of speech and expression is a fundamental Human Right and it is necessary for the working of the entire human right system. It is the right to receive, seek and also impart information by any means. Untrammeled flow of words is first and foremost principle of a free society. From Article 19 of UDHR to Article 10 of European convention of human rights, the freedom of speech and expression is accepted and recognized all around the globe as a human right. In this decade internet is unavoidable and has become a vital part of the society. After the outbreak of corona pandemic from education to business each and every essential activity have shifted from physical to virtual mode and therefore the role of internet has widened in these last two years. In this digital era internet shut down are of great concern around the world, specifically in India as in the past eight years India have recorded around 385 internets shut downs most of which were recorded in Kashmir after the revocation of Article 370, which per se violated the right to health, education etc. of the people of Kashmir during the pandemic. Therefore, Internet regulations have become the most important issue that strangles the freedom of speech and expression. The purpose of this research paper is to analyze internet restrictions as a hurdle to Freedom of speech and expression considering the situation in Kashmir and how it had an impact on India’s image worldwide. In furtherance of it, the paper deals with the feminist aspect and the impact of the pandemic while understanding the freedom of speech and expression.
Keywords: Freedom of speech and expression, Untrammeled, Internet Regulations, Pandemic.
