Hyderabad, May 2 -- The country has witnessed an alarming surge in free speech violations in the first four months of 2024. As many as 134 violations were reported, according to "Free Speech Collective".

The report titled 'Crossing The Line: 18th Lok Sabha Elections and Free Speech In India', published on Wednesday, May 1, has also revealed that independent journalists, academics, students, YouTubers, and ordinary citizens, have been subjected to harassment, attacks, arrests, and censorship.

There have been 36 cases of arrest, 36 cases of censorship, 24 cases of internet control, 13 cases of attacks and seven cases of lawfare so far in 2024, the collective's report said.

Attacks on free speech

The report revealed shocking cases of ord...