Background
Overview
Civil servants must understand the constitutional guarantees of fundamental rights, their scope, limitations, and the delicate balance between individual liberties and state interests, especially in matters of public discourse and dissent.
Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution guarantees to all citizens the right to freedom of speech and expression, which includes the right to express one's own views and opinions freely by word of mouth, writing, printing, picturing, or in any other manner. However, this right is not absolute and is subject to reasonable restrictions under Article 19(2) on grounds such as sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the State, public order, decency or morality, contempt of court, defamation, and incitement to an offence.