Article 19(1)(a) guarantees freedom of speech and expression to every Indian citizen. This includes:
- Freedom of the press
- Right to broadcast
- Right to commercial speech
- Right to silence — you cannot be compelled to speak
Reasonable Restrictions (Article 19(2))
The State can impose restrictions on grounds of:
- Sovereignty and integrity of India
- Security of the State
- Friendly relations with foreign states
- Public order, decency, or morality
- Contempt of court, defamation, or incitement to an offence
Hate speech, obscenity, and sedition laws derive their validity from these restrictions.
The freedom of speech is the matrix, the indispensable condition of nearly every other form of freedom. — Justice Cardozo (quoted by Indian courts)