Directions: Read the given passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. It is gratifying to note that the Supreme Court, while indicating its intention to reconsider the sedition provision in the Indian Penal Code, has raised the question most relevant to the issue:<\/p>
\u201cWhy does Section 124 A continue in the statute book even after 75 years of independence?\u201d Chief Justice N. V. Ramana has also pointed to the rampant misuse of the section by the police across the country, and reminded the government that it was a legal provision that the colonial regime had used to suppress the freedom movement. The issues flagged by the Chief Justice of India may set the tone for what would be a comprehensive reconsideration of a section that has been frequently and wrongfully used, especially in the last few years, to suppress dissent, criminalize strident political criticism and taint opponents with the tag of being \u2018anti-national\u2019. Even though it is often argued that the misuse of a law alone does not render it invalid, there is a special case to strike down Section 124 A because of its inherent potential for misuse. There is a pattern of behaviour among all regimes that indicate a proclivity to invoke it without examining its applicability to the facts of any case. Recent cases show that sedition is used for three political reasons: to suppress criticism and protests against particular policies and projects of the government, to criminalise dissenting opinion from human rights defenders, lawyers, activists and journalists, and to settle political scores, sometimes with communal hues.<\/p>
It is not to be forgotten that the section was<\/p>
upheld in 1962 by a Constitution Bench mainly by reading down the import of the terms \u201cbring into hatred or contempt\u201d, or \u201cto create disaffection towards the government established by law\u201d and limit its scope to only those instances of speech or writing that show a pernicious tendency to create public disorder.<\/p>
Without this attenuated interpretation, the restriction imposed on free speech by Section 124A would have been declared unconstitutional. The court is now seized of several cases that seek a reconsideration of the 1962 verdict, citing more recent judgments expanding the scope of fundamental rights and doctrines that have been subsequently evolved. In particular, the \u201cchilling effect\u201d that a law may have on free speech and the vague and \u2018overbroad\u2019 definition of sedition that renders both provocative and innocuous speeches or writings equally liable for prosecution are points to be examined. In 2016, the government itself admitted in Parliament that the definition of sedition is too wide and requires reconsideration. The Law Commission also released a consultation paper in 2018 saidthat\u201cIn a democracy, singing from the same songbook is not a benchmark of patriotism. People should be at liberty to show their affection towards their country in their own way.\u201d While issuing fresh guidelines and safeguards is one wayof quelling the potential for its misuse, it will be more helpful if Section 124 A is struck down altogether.<\/p>
1)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Why does the Supreme Court intend to reconsider the Indian Penal Code’s sedition provision?<\/p>
A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Because the section is too old and stringent and needs to be improved.<\/p>
B.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Because there has been widespread misuse of the section by police officers across the country<\/b><\/p>
C.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Because the section is no longer applicable in contemporary times.<\/p>
D.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Because the section restricts people’s freedom of expression.<\/p>
E. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 None of the above<\/p>
Sol:<\/p>
In the given passage, it is mentioned that \u201cIt is gratifying to note that the Supreme Court, while indicating its intention to reconsider the sedition provision in the Indian Penal Code, has raised the question most relevant to the issue: \u201cWhy does Section 124 A continue in the statute book even after 75 years of independence?\u201d Chief Justice N. V. Ramana has also pointed to the rampant misuse of the section by the police across the country\u201d. <\/p>
From the above lines, we can infer that option B is the correct answer.<\/p>
2)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Recent cases show that sedition is used for which of the following reasons?<\/p>
I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 to suppress criticism and protests against specific government policies and projects.<\/p>
II.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 to bolster popular discontent against political leaders<\/p>
III.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 to criminalize opposing opinions from human rights defenders, lawyers, etc.<\/p>
IV.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 to put an end to political feuds and community squabbles.<\/p>
A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Only I<\/p>
B.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Only IV<\/p>
C.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Both I and III<\/b><\/p>
D.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Both II and III<\/p>
E.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 All the above<\/p>
In the given passage, it is mentioned that <\/p>
\u201cRecent cases show that sedition is used for three political reasons: to suppress criticism and protests against particular policies and projects of the government, to criminalize dissenting opinion from human rights defenders, lawyers, activists and journalists, and to settle political scores, sometimes with communal hues.\u201d<\/p>
Therefore, option C is the correct answer.<\/p>
3)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Which of the following is\/are FALSE with respect to the given passage?<\/p>
A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Section 124 A was enshrined in law in 1962 by a Constitution Bench.<\/p>
B.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In 2016, the government admitted in Parliament that the definition of sedition is too wide and requires reconsideration.<\/p>
C.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Supreme Court has ruled in favour of upholding Section 124 A.<\/b><\/p>
D.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In recent years, the law of sedition has been abused to silence critics.<\/p>
E.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 None of these<\/p>
Sol:<\/p>
In the given passage, we can see that the supreme court raises a question asking \u201cWhy does Section 124A continue in the statute book even after 75 years of independence?\u201d and Chief Justice N. V. Ramana has also pointed to the rampant misuse of the section by the police across the country\u201d. <\/p>
From these lines, we can understand that the Supreme court is not in favour of upholding section 124a. Therefore, option C is the correct answer.<\/p>
4)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In the given sentence, \u201cThe Law Commission also released a consultation paper in 2018 that In a democracy, singing from the same songbook is not a benchmark of patriotism\u201d, what is the meaning of the highlighted phrase?<\/p>
A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 To have the same understanding of something as someone else.<\/b><\/p>
B.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bring an illicit activity to an end by informing on (the person responsible).<\/p>
C.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 To criticize (someone) for doing something<\/p>
D.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 To chastise loudly, or to issue a severe warning<\/p>
E.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 None of these<\/p>
The meaning of the phrase \u2018singing from the same songbook\u2019 is \u2018to say the same things <\/p>
about a subject in order to give the impression of unity or agreement\u2019. Thus, the given <\/p>
sentence means that expressing the same <\/p>
opinions as others in a group is not a measure <\/p>
of patriotism in a democracy. <\/p>
Therefore, option A is the correct answer.<\/p>
5)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What is the SYNONYM of the word \u2018attenuate\u2019 used in the passage?<\/p>
A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Reinforced<\/p>
B.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Enervated<\/b><\/p>
C.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bolstered<\/p>
D.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Consolidated<\/p>
E.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Fortifying<\/p>
The meaning of the word \u2018attenuated\u2019 is \u2018having been reduced in force, effect, or value\u2019 and the meaning of the word \u2018enervated\u2019 is \u2018make (someone) feel drained of energy or vitality\u2019. <\/p>
Therefore, option B is the correct answer.<\/p>
6)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What is the ANTONYM of the word \u2018quelling\u2019 as used in the passage?<\/p>
A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Pacify<\/p>
B.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Negotiate<\/p>
C.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mollify<\/p>
D.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Subdue<\/p>
E.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Trigger<\/b><\/p>
The meaning of the word \u2018quell\u2019 is \u2018put an end to (a rebellion or other disorder), typically by the use of force\u2019 and the meaning of the word \u2018trigger\u2019 is \u2018cause (an event or situation) to happen or exist\u2019. <\/p>
Therefore, option E is the correct answer.<\/p> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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