Article 19(1)(a) and Reasonable Restrictions Under Article 19(2)

Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution guarantees the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression to all citizens. Article 19(2) permits the State to impose "reasonable restrictions" on this right in the interests of: sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, contempt of court, defamation, or incitement to an offence. These eight grounds are exhaustive -- the State cannot restrict speech on any ground not listed in Article 19(2). In Shreya Singhal v. Union of India (2015), the Supreme Court struck down Section 66A of the IT Act, 2000 for being vague and overbroad, but upheld Section 69A (government's power to block content) as it contained adequate procedural safeguards including a review committee.