Columnist Tavleen Singh argues in the June 14, 2026, edition of a national daily that crushing dissent inflicts damage that outlasts any short-term political advantage gained through silencing critics.
Singh traces recent episodes in which journalists, academics and protesters faced legal or social retaliation, contending that democratic institutions weaken when disagreement is treated as disloyalty. She writes that voters eventually pay the price in reduced accountability and poorer policy debate.
The essay cites historical examples where authoritarian reflexes corroded press freedom and judicial independence, warning that incremental restrictions normalize extraordinary measures. Singh urges civil society to defend room for contrarian speech even when it discomforts those in power.
Legal scholars reviewing the column note parallels with ongoing court battles over sedition-style statutes and broadcast regulations. Singh stops short of prescribing a single legislative fix, instead calling for cultural restraint among leaders who command vast punitive apparatus.
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Sources:
https://indianexpress.com/archive/2026/06/14/page/11/