THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:The Congress party on Thursday came down heavily on a new Ordinance which will amend the Kerala Police Act and will enable a police officer to suo motu register a case against anyone who produces content, publishes or propagates it through any means of communication.
This new Ordinance was passed by the Pinarayi Vijayan cabinet at its meeting held on Wednesday.
Speaking to the media here, Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala said this is nothing but a way to gag the media.
"Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the CPI-M are getting restless with the spate of allegations coming out and to gag the media, they are trying to come out with the new Ordinance and this is definitely going to be misused. We strongly object to this, as the present set of laws are good enough to tackle any sort of misinformation, " said Chennithala.
According to the proposed amendment any sort of misinformation, be it on TV or print, will become a cognisable offence and any person can lodge a complaint or a police officer himself can suo motu register a case against the accused.
"All know the game plan of Vijayan and this Ordinance is an indirect way to silence the media. This will be strongly opposed, " added Chennithala.