According to former Chief Justice of India UU Lalit, "Fair criticism of the government will not constitute sedition". On February 10, he was speaking at the International Press Institute-(IPI-India) India's award ceremony in New Delhi. Jointly receiving the Award for Excellence in Journalism 2022 were The Print and NDTV correspondent 'Saurabh Shukla'.

“Fair criticism is the right of every individual, it is the cherished right of every journalist. I have every right to comment upon the policies and acts of the government. If I do that, then it is not sedition...Section 124A [of the Indian Penal Code for sedition] has always been a thorn in the flesh for all journalistic ventures...You (journalists) are the sentinels of the society", he said, as reported by The Hindu.

Justice Lalit discussed how independence warrior Bal Gangadhar Tilak had defended himself in court when the British authorities had accused him of sedition, yet he had still been found guilty and given a six-year prison sentence.