Yesterday, the newly formed Law Minster Arjun Ram Meghwal said that the Central will hold consultations with all stakeholders before taking a final decision on Sedition law (Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code).

"The law commission report on Sedition is one of the steps in the extensive consultative process. The recommendations made in the report are persuasive and not binding. Ultimately, the final decision will be taken only after consulting all the stakeholders.

Further said, sedition law is necessary to safeguard the unity and the integrity of the Country.

Apprehensions of misuse cannot be a valid ground to demand the repeal of the provision. The Commission suggested a safeguard that an FIR for the offence of sedition be registered only after sanction by the Central or the State Government on the basis of a preliminary enquiry conducted by a police officer not below the rank of inspector.

It also recommended that the punishment for sedition be enhanced and it be made punishable with life imprisonment or imprisonment for a term up to seven years. The present punishment is up to three years imprisonment.