Congress promises to abolish 'Sedition' law in its Lok Sabha 2019 manifesto

The Congress party on Tuesday released its manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha 2019 polls, revealing the important decisions they will take should they come back to power post elections.

While the main focus of attention was the 'Nyay' scheme, which the party has openly spoken about in the past few weeks, one important topic which caught the eye was the party's promise on sedition law.

In its manifesto, the grand old party has promised to abolish the Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code, which amounts to sedition. 

"Omit Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code (that defines the offence 'sedition') that has been misused and, in any event, has become redundant because of subsequent laws," read the party's stand on this matter in its manifesto.

READ: Will Make National Security Advisor (NSA) Statutory And Accountable To Parliament, Not Prime Minister's Office: 2019 Congress Manifesto

Just a few weeks ago, Republic TV was the first to learn that the party will take a stand against the sedition law. The Congress has time and time again spoken against the law, accusing the present government of misusing it on those who raise their voices against them.

READ: SCOOP: Open Support To Tukde Gang?: Congress Plans To Scrap Sedition Law In Its Poll Manifesto, As Per Sources

Also in the manifesto was the promise to omit Section 499 of the IPC and make 'defamation' only a civil offence, and no longer a criminal offence. Further, the party also assured amend the AFSPA in order to 'strike a balance between the powers of security forces and the human rights of citizens'.

Here are the main points and claims in the Congress manifesto's National Security section:

• Congress will reverse the trend of declining defence spending, and expedite all modernisation programmes
• Congress will take strategic and hard measures to defend India's territorial integrity
• Congress promises to evolve policy on data security, cyber security, financial security, communications security
• Congress will establish the office of Chief Of Defence Staff to be principal adviser to the government of matters relating to defence
• Congress to provide statutory basis for National Security Council (NSC) and NSA's office and agencies under them. They will be accountable to Parliament
• Congress will re-establish the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) and provide it a statutory basis
• Congress will rapidly expand domestic capacity to manufacture defence and security equipment