SMC's Statement on Proposed Amendment of Kerala Police Act (118-A) and Its Implications
We are a non-profit technology collective empowering native language communication with technology tools for Malayalam, the official language of Kerala. As a community working primarily through the internet we witness on a regular basis the benefits and harms of unfettered access to communication and broadcasting tools that are available today. We see the need for protecting vulnerable sections of our society from those who misuse such means to the detriment of others. We also see great danger in making laws that restrict freedom of expression without adequate thought. As such we were alarmed by the reports in news and other media about the proposed amendment to Kerala Police Act, section 118(A).
Since SMC is a collective that exists to make communication in native language possible, we felt compelled to present our thought and arguments about the proposed amendment. We reproduce the letters that we sent to Honorable Chief Minister of Kerala and Honorable Law Minister of Kerala.