2012 · Q94
Suppose a legislation was passed by the Parliament imposing certain restrictions on newspapers. These included page ceiling, price and advertisements. The legislation is included in the Ninth Schedule to the Constitution of India. In this context, which one among the following statements is correct?
General KnowledgeIndian Polity
- AThe legislation is invalid as it violates the freedom of Press
- BThe legislation is valid by virtue of Article 31B
- CThe legislation is invalid as it imposes unreasonable restrictions under Article 19(2) of the Constitution
- DThe legislation is valid as the Press is not a citizen under Article 19 of the Constitution
Explanation
This mirrors the Bennett Coleman case: newsprint restrictions violate Article 19(1)(a) as unreasonable restrictions; Ninth Schedule inclusion after 1973 does not immunize against basic-structure review (key: C).