Context: 

India has been ranked 24th out of 33 countries in the "Who in the World Supports Free Speech?" survey by The Future of Free Speech, a U.S.-based think tank. With a score of 62.6, India is positioned between South Africa (66.9) and Lebanon (61.8).  Norway and Denmark topped the Future of Free Speech Index with scores of 87.9 and 87.0, respectively.

Key Findings Related to India

1.   Public Support for Free Expression
The majority of Indians supports the principle of free speech without government interference. This is an encouraging sign for democratic values and individual freedoms in the country. Most people recognize the importance of expressing opinions freely, which reflects a basic commitment to freedom of speech.

2.   Strong Support for Government Restrictions on Criticism
A significant 37% of Indian respondents believe that the government should have the authority to prevent criticism of its policies. This is the highest percentage among the countries surveyed, highlighting a concerning trend of support for government-imposed limits on political speech. This suggests a growing tolerance for governmental control over public discourse, particularly when it involves criticism of those in power.

Comparative Analysis

In contrast, other democratic nations like the U.K. (5%) and Denmark (3%) show much lower levels of support for government restrictions on criticism.

This stark difference points to a growing tendency in India where a notable segment of the population believes in restricting political speech.

This trend reflects a shift towards supporting government control over public discourse, which could have broader implications for the health of India’s democracy and public debate.

Challenges to Free Speech in India

India faces several legal and political restrictions that hinder free speech.

• Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA): This law has been criticized for being used to target journalists, activists, and opposition voices, curtailing their ability to speak freely and engage in political discourse.
• IT Rules 2021: These rules give the government broad powers to regulate social media and online content. The increasing use of these regulations has raised concerns about censorship and self-censorship among citizens and media outlets. There is a growing fear of legal repercussions, making people reluctant to speak openly or challenge the government.

Conclusion

These findings suggest a paradox in India’s stance on free speech: while the public broadly supports the idea of free expression, there is significant support for limiting critical political speech. The contradiction between public support for free expression and the desire to restrict criticism of the government indicates a growing challenge in ensuring the protection of free speech in practice. If this trend continues, it could lead to more government oversight and restrictions on dissenting voices, which would undermine the democratic space necessary for open debate and accountability.

For a thriving democracy, it is crucial for India to ensure that free speech is not only protected in principle but also in practice—through legal safeguards, reforms, and a cultural shift that encourages open debate and challenges to power.