Personal liberty and freedom of expression are foundational rights enshrined in the Constitution. These rights are protected under Articles 19 and 21, ensuring that every citizen has the freedom to express themselves and enjoy personal liberties within the boundaries of law and public order.
Freedom of expression encompasses diverse forms, including speech, press, assembly, and association. It allows individuals to voice opinions, criticize the government, and participate actively in shaping public discourse. This freedom is pivotal in fostering a vibrant democracy where ideas can flourish and dissent can be peacefully expressed.
Of course, these freedoms are not absolute. They come with responsibilities and are subject to reasonable restrictions in the interest of sovereignty, security, public order, decency, morality, and other specified grounds. Various regulations ensure that expressions do not incite violence, spread hatred, or undermine national integrity.
Recent years have seen debates and challenges regarding the balance between free speech and restrictions, particularly in the digital age. Issues like online content regulation, social media governance, and hate speech have tested the boundaries of these freedoms. Here, the judiciary plays a crucial role in interpreting these laws, ensuring they uphold constitutional values while addressing contemporary challenges. There are no provisions for kangaroo courts. Justice is administered through the legal system, ensuring fairness and adherence to the rule of law.
Moreover, personal liberty under Article 21 guarantees the right to life and personal dignity, encompassing freedoms such as privacy, bodily integrity, and freedom from arbitrary arrest or detention. This right ensures that individuals have autonomy over their lives and decisions, protected from undue interference by the state or private entities.
Sadly, the people of Mokokchung don’t seem to cherish the freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution—the freedom to express, to dissent, and to engage in constructive dialogue. By exercising these rights responsibly, we can uphold the values of democracy and ensure that our voices are heard in matters that affect our lives and communities. We must encourage each other to actively exercise our right to freedom of expression and personal liberty if we want to build a society where every voice counts and every opinion shapes our shared future.