For some Indians, sedition doesn't even have to be about their own country. You can say something about another country and still be accused under this archaic British law, which is exactly what happened to actor-politician Ramya. Responding to a comment made by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, actor-politician Ramya said, “Pakistan was not hell.” To protest this statement which he called “anti-national”, lawyer Kanamanne Vittal Gowda filed a complaint in Kodagu, Karnataka accusing her of sedition.
If saying nice things about Pakistan were a crime, Ramya would hardly be the first high-profile person to be charged.
India’s politicians have frequently changed their position on what their feelings exactly are when it comes to Pakistan. Last year, Narendra Modi visited India’s neighbour on “a surprise visit”, after which he appreciated Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz's demeanor.
But long before his visit, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee made a historic journey to the country in 1999 to diffuse tensions over the Kashmir issue and the recent nuclear tests carried out by both countries.
At the end of the trip, where the Lahore Declaration was signed, Vajpayee had this to say (video above) about Pakistan, “We must now implement our various understandings in good faith. My visit is almost over. It was brief but substantive. I have been moved by the attention and hospitality extended to me. And the delegation of eminent persons who accompanied me.” He went on to thank Prime Minister Nawaz “most warmly” before going on to invite him on a visit to India to “give us a chance to repay the many courtesies and kindnesses that I have received”.
Of course, it’s not just India that files cases for innocuous statements. In Pakistan, police have registered five cases against Baloch leaders for supporting Modi’s Independence Day speech for, amongst other things, “waging war waging or attempting to wage war or abetting waging of war against Pakistan”. In March, a senior lawyer served a legal notice against cricketer Shahid Afridi for saying that he got “more love” in India than back home in Pakistan.
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