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Upbeat, Defiant, Happy Twitter Users Celebrate #No66A

Upbeat, Defiant, Happy Twitter Users Celebrate #No66A
FILE - This May 21, 2013 file photo shows an iPhone in Washington with Twitter, Facebook, and other apps. Tired of that friend or relative who won't stop posting or tweeting political opinions? Online loudmouths may be annoying, but a new survey suggests they are in the minority. In a report released Tuesday, the Pew Research Center found that most people who regularly use social media sites were actually less likely to share their opinions, even offline. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)
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FILE - This May 21, 2013 file photo shows an iPhone in Washington with Twitter, Facebook, and other apps. Tired of that friend or relative who won't stop posting or tweeting political opinions? Online loudmouths may be annoying, but a new survey suggests they are in the minority. In a report released Tuesday, the Pew Research Center found that most people who regularly use social media sites were actually less likely to share their opinions, even offline. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

In what is being termed as a historic judgement, the Supreme Court on Tuesday struck down the controversial Section 66A of the Information Technology Act, declaring it "unconstitutional".

The section, which was often misused to arrest ordinary citizens for liking, commenting, tweeting or sharing "controversial" information, was passed without discussion in Parliament by the UPA government in 2008.

Famously, the first PIL on the issue was filed in 2012 by a law student Shreya Singhal, who sought amendment in Section 66A of the Act, after two girls — Shaheen Dhada and Rinu Shrinivasan — were arrested in Palghar in Thane district. Their "crime" was that one of the girls had posted a comment against the shutdown in Mumbai following Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackeray's death and the other 'liked' it.

The Supreme Court, however, refused to strike down two other provisions of the IT Act that allow blocking of websites.

The social media was understandably abuzz with jubilation and comments on this historic judgement. Here are some of interesting tweets:

SC strikes down #Sec66A of IT Act.

Long Live Free Speech. Long live democracy!

Thank you all who fought for this. #NoSec66A

— Raheel Khursheed (@Raheelk) March 24, 2015

Seriously, did we just #No66A? That is possibly the best news since... I don't know, best news.

— samit basu (@samitbasu) March 24, 2015

Amazing how grateful we feel when speech freedom is upheld, no? Congratulations to all the superlawyers. Now, about 377... #No66A

— samit basu (@samitbasu) March 24, 2015

Woohoo! #No66Apic.twitter.com/w5GUYvqbyG

— Vijayeta (@SacredInsanity) March 24, 2015

I could weep right now. I might even be already #No66A

— Rohan (@mojorojo) March 24, 2015

Some felt individuals need a digital leash..sorry ...#Sec66A struck down & constitutional order restored ..now defenders of #FOE will emerge

— Samir Saran (@samirsaran) March 24, 2015

Now we can go back to tweeting stuff which we already tweet #Sec66A

— Nei-Ha (@NotSoDrunkGoan) March 24, 2015

When you realise that although #Sec66A has been struck down, your website can still be blocked - pic.twitter.com/ioAKKe7Q5w

— Lavanya (@lavsmohan) March 24, 2015

Guaranteed question for UPSC civil services general studies paper: #Sec66A and fundamental rights: how SC is the ultimate guardian of rights

— Pankaj Anand (@anandpankaj) March 24, 2015

SC has upheld citizens' right of freedom of speech & expression: Shreya Singhal, Petitioner #Sec66Apic.twitter.com/dMqN6ChtNw

— ANI (@ANI_news) March 24, 2015

SC on Govt's assurance that #Sec66A won't be abused: "Govt come n go but sec 66A will remain forever." SC is indeed guardian of our rights!

— Dr. Munish Raizada (@DrMunishRaizada) March 24, 2015

Great - SC struck down #Sec66A of the IT Act. Exceptions to provisions are Hate Speech, Incitement of violence, defamation/slander.

— Arvind Gupta (@buzzindelhi) March 24, 2015

Number of U-turns we will all see today,would make our everyday professional contortionists look decidedly amateurish #Sec66A#Section66A

— Anil Pillai (@apindia) March 24, 2015

Congratulations all. Now, There will be No #Sec66A But we should use our #FreedomOfSpeech very carefully & With proper responsibility.

— Niraj shaha (@nirajshh) March 24, 2015

Thanks to Supreme Court to strikes down #Sec66A Main Abb Kisi Ki Bhi Kahkar Le Sakta Hoon.

— Kamaal R Khan-KRK (@kamaalrkhan) March 24, 2015

But yes great achievement. It's nice to know someone cares about our fundamental rights. #No66A#ThankYouSC

— Blueberry (@whiskey_eyed) March 24, 2015

We won.

#No66A

— Nikhil Pahwa (@nixxin) March 24, 2015

(With inputs from PTI)

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This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.