Key Points
- The Kerala High Court dropped charges against three people for waving black flags at CM Pinarayi Vijayan’s convoy in 2017.
- Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas ruled the act was not defamatory or illegal under Indian law.
- The court dismissed obstruction charges, saying the convoy was not actually blocked.
- A similar incident happened in 2023, when Youth Congress activists faced similar charges.
Looma News
The Kerala High Court has dropped the charges against three people who waved black flags at Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s convoy in 2017. The incident took place on April 9, 2017, when Simil, Phijo, and Sumesh Dayanandan showed black flags as the convoy passed through North Paravur. They were originally charged with defamation, blocking a public road, and interfering with public servants.
Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas ruled that waving a black flag, a well-known symbol of protest, cannot be considered defamatory or illegal. He said that unless there is a specific law against it, such an act is a valid way to protest and shouldn’t lead to punishment. He also explained that showing a black flag doesn’t amount to defamation or blocking public duties.
The court also addressed the obstruction charges, saying there was no real blockage of the convoy. The police acted quickly to prevent any disruption. The final report showed that no temporary or permanent obstruction happened. The court noted that any physical contact between the protesters and police officers was brief, occurring only when the officers removed the protesters, and didn’t stop them from doing their job.
This ruling follows a similar case in 2023, when Youth Congress activists faced similar charges after waving black flags at the Chief Minister during a government event.
