Harish Salve Warns Against Denigrating India on Social Media

• Senior Advocate Harish Salve cautioned against denigrating India as a nation on social media.
• Criticizing the government is essential in a democracy, but must be done responsibly.
• The rule of law is crucial for maintaining national prosperity and freedom.
• Lawyers have a duty to preserve the rule of law and set an example in their use of social media.

Senior Advocate Harish Salve delivered a keynote address at the Supreme Court Bar Association's AK Sen Memorial Lecture and Photograph Unveiling Ceremony. The event honored Late Ashok Kumar Sen, Senior Advocate and former Union Law Minister, with a portrait unveiling at the Supreme Court. During his speech, Salve cautioned against denigrating India as a nation on social media, emphasizing that criticizing the government is essential in a democracy but must be done responsibly.

Salve's remarks highlighted the importance of preserving the rule of law in Indian society. He noted that the country is at an inflection point due to changes in its polity, demography, and growing demands on limited resources. The senior lawyer emphasized that democracy relies on the rule of law, which must be upheld even in the face of rising aspirations and social media's influence. Salve also referenced Article 368 of the Constitution, citing AK Sen's views on the constituent power as the fountainhead of authority.

Salve's warning against denigrating India on social media underscores the need for responsible language and behavior online. As lawyers, they have a duty to preserve the rule of law and set an example in their use of social media. The senior advocate's remarks also highlight the importance of maintaining respect for Indian institutions and values, particularly during times of turmoil in other parts of the world.

Lawyers should be mindful of the language they use on social media, as criticizing the government is essential but denigrating the nation can have serious implications under Indian laws.

Source: Original reporting via LawBeat