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HC-NIC Page 26 of 136 Created On Sat Dec 19 02:35:40 IST 2015

26 of 136 "(2)   Nothing   in   sub­clause   (a)   of   clause   (1)   shall   affect   the   operation  of any  existing  law,  or prevent  the  State  from  making   any law, in so far as such law imposes reasonable restrictions on   the   exercise   of   the   right   conferred   by   the   said   sub­clause   in   the   interests of the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign   State, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt   of court, defamation or incitement to an offence."

It his not been questioned before us that the fundamental right guaranteed   by   Art.   19(1)(a)   of   the   freedom   of   speech   and   expression   is   not   an   absolute   right.   It   is   common   ground   that   the   right   is   subject   to   such   reasonable restrictions as would come within the purview of cl. (2), which   comprises   (a)   security   of   the   State,   (b)   friendly   relations   with   foreign   States, (c) public order, (d) decency or morality, etc. With reference to the   constitutionality of S. 124A or S. 505 of the Indian Penal Code, as to how   far they are consistent  with the requirements  of cl. (2) of Art. 19 with   particular reference to security of the State and public order, the section, it   must be noted, penalises any spoken or written words or signs or visible   representations, etc., which have the effect of bringing, or which attempt to   bring into hatred or contempt or excites or attempts to excite disaffection   towards   the   Government   established   by   law.   Now,   the   expression   "the   Government established by law" has to be distinguished from the persons   for   the   time   being   engaged   in   carrying   on   the   administration.