India has a long history of satire—R.K. Laxman’s Common Man critiqued governments, and Shekhar Suman mimicked Prime Ministers on national TV. But today, comedians like Kunal Kamra face vandalism, legal threats, and arrests for doing the same.

The Supreme Court’s recent ruling quashing the FIR against MP Imran Pratapgarhi reaffirms that free expression—even if unpopular—is a fundamental right. The judgment highlights the role of satire, poetry, and literature in a democracy.

As the Court rightly observed:
“Free expression of thoughts and views by individuals or groups of individuals is an integral part of a healthy civilised society. Without freedom of expression, it is impossible to lead a dignified life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution. In a healthy democracy, the views or thoughts expressed by an individual or group of individuals must be countered by expressing another point of view.”

Yet, attacks on comedians continue. If dissenting voices are silenced, can democracy survive?