World’s largest democracy India’s removal of Facebook free speech law delights human right groups

Democracy, elections and voting at Democracy Chronicles

India to change hate speech law after Facebook row

AFP – India is set to amend its hate speech laws following a public outcry over two women arrested for posting comments on Facebook after the death of hardline politician Bal Thackeray. The new guidelines by the communications and information technology ministry will make it harder for police to arrest people.

India’s government has conceded to opposition pressure to allow lawmakers a vote on allowing foreign supermarkets in the country, in a bid to end a parliamentary deadlock that has stalled key reforms. The announcement Thursday to hold the non-binding vote comes as the opposition protested.