Author B.

Srivalli Sailaja
Title A RELOOK ON THE RIGHT TO DISSENT
Abstract Dissent is one of the basic principles on
which a democracy works. India, being the
largest democracy of the world incorporates
the fundamental rights in its constitution
including the right to disagree and dissent in
the form of Right to Freedom of Speech and
Expression envisaged under Article 19(1).
But this right is often misunderstood
considering it anti-national, with dissenters
facing dire consequences including
imprisonment, displacement and death.
Dissent is not essentially, a negative concept;
it offers alternatives to the prevailing ideas
and institutions. It enables the citizens to
claim their rights and participate more in the
democratic process. The modern state is
moving towards being a welfare state from
police state. The state is formed with the
consent of the individuals and should
function for the protection of their lives and
liberties. In the words of Thomas Hobbes,
since the main purpose of the state, and the
reason we consent to it, is to protect us
against violence, our obligation to the state
lasts “as long as and no longer than” its
ability to protect us. If it fails to protect us,
we have the right to dissent and disagree with
its laws. This paper broadly deals with the
question of dissent, its causes, arguments as
to how can dissent be regarded as a right,
importance of dissent in democracy, also in
Indian context, limitations of dissent and
roles played by powerful entities such as
Judiciary and media in upholding dissenting
rights; also, finally with some
recommendations to prevent socio-economic
dissents and to make an effective use of the
intellectual political dissents.

Brief Biography B. Srivalli Sailaja is pursuing BA.LLB

(5YDC undergraduate course), Second year
in Post Graduate College College of Law,
Basheerbagh, Osmania University,
Hyderabad.
Organisation / Institution Post Graduate College of Law, Osmania
University, Hyderabad.
Postal Address B. Srivalli Sailaja
D/O B. Ramesh Narasimham
 15-166/4, Flat no. 101, Rajoo Apartments,
New Mirjalaguda, Malkajgiri,
Hyderabad (500047), Telangana.
Email Address bsrivallisailaja@gmail.com
Phone Number 8886530804