Speak
Freely, Speak Responsibly: Students Explore Freedom of Expression, Online Abuse
and Bullying
 |
| Key Speaker: Mr. Aditya Krishna, Asian Law College |
Bougainvillea Art Foundation’s “Zero Tolerance Policy on Abusive Language”
campaign brings Gen Z students into an engaging conversation on responsible
communication
Words can express ideas, challenge opinions, create
connections and sometimes cause harm. As young people increasingly communicate
through social media and digital platforms, understanding the boundaries
between freedom of expression, offensive language, abuse and harassment has
become an important part of responsible digital citizenship.
With this in mind, Bougainvillea Art Foundation organised an
interactive session on “Zero Tolerance Policy on Abusive Language” at Samsara
The World Academy, Greater Noida, on 30 September 2026. The session,
themed “Speak Freely, Speak Responsibly,” brought students into an open
conversation about freedom of expression, responsible communication, online
behaviour, and bullying.
The session was moderated by Dr. Kaynat Kazi, who guided the
conversation and facilitated an engaging exchange between the students and the
speaker.
Understanding Freedom of Speech
and Expression
The session was led by Mr. Aditya Krishna, who introduced students
to the constitutional foundation of freedom of speech and expression.
The presentation discussed Article 19, including the right to
freedom of speech and expression, along with other freedoms guaranteed to
citizens. Freedom-of-Speech-and-Expressio…
The discussion helped students understand that freedom of expression is an
important right, while also encouraging them to consider the responsibilities
that accompany the way this right is exercised.
Where Does Freedom of Expression Have Limits?
An important part of the session focused on reasonable restrictions
associated with freedom of speech and expression.
Students were introduced to areas including the security and sovereignty
of the State, morality and public decency, defamation, and contempt of court.
Freedom-of-Speech-and-Expressio…
The discussion provided students with an opportunity to consider the
difference between expressing an opinion and communication that may have wider
social or legal implications.
Understanding the Legal
Perspective
Mr. Aditya Krishna also introduced students to provisions under the Bharatiya
Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) concerning different forms of speech and conduct.
The presentation covered provisions relating to promoting enmity between
different groups, statements prejudicial to national integration, obscene acts
and songs, criminal intimidation, intentional insult intended to provoke a
breach of peace, and public nuisance. Freedom-of-Speech-and-Expressio…
The session also discussed defamation, including the relevant
provision identified in the presentation. Freedom-of-Speech-and-Expressio…
Explaining these concepts in an accessible manner helped students connect
legal principles with situations they may encounter in everyday communication,
both online and offline.
Bringing the Conversation into
the School Environment
The discussion also moved beyond social media to an issue directly relevant
to students: bullying in schools.
The speaker explained the issue of bullying and encouraged students to
think about how harmful behaviour can affect others within the school
environment. This broadened the conversation from online abuse to the
importance of respectful behaviour in classrooms, friendships and other
everyday interactions.
Students were encouraged to recognise that creating a respectful
environment is a shared responsibility. Whether harmful language is used online
or face-to-face, empathy and awareness can play an important role in preventing
behaviour that causes distress or humiliation.
Dr. Kaynat Kazi: Guiding the
Conversation
As moderator, Dr. Kaynat Kazi helped steer the session into an open
and participatory discussion. Her role helped create space for students to
engage with the subject, reflect on the issues raised and connect the legal
perspective with situations that young people may encounter in their daily
lives.
The format encouraged students not merely to listen, but to think,
discuss, learn and take action echoing the central spirit of the campaign.
An Interactive Conversation with
Gen Z
The session encouraged students to reflect on questions such as:
- What is
the difference between criticism and abuse?
- Can
offensive language have consequences?
- How should
we respond when we witness bullying?
- What
happens when online disagreements become personal?
- How can
students disagree respectfully?
- What
responsibilities come with freedom of expression?
By discussing these questions, students were encouraged to look at
communication from both the perspective of the speaker and the person receiving
the communication.
Freedom of Expression Comes with
Responsibility
One of the central messages of the session was that freedom of
expression and responsible communication need to go hand in hand.
Young people should have space to express their ideas, opinions and
disagreements. At the same time, the way those ideas are communicated can
affect other people and the wider community.
A comment, message, joke or post may seem insignificant to the person
sharing it, but it can have a very different impact on the person receiving it.
This makes pausing to think before speaking, posting or sharing an
important part of responsible communication.
Creating Safer and More
Respectful Communities
The Zero Tolerance Policy on Abusive Language campaign aims to
encourage young people to reflect on their communication and contribute to
healthier digital and school environments.
By bringing together youth participation, legal awareness and an open
moderated discussion, the session created an opportunity for students to
explore freedom of expression while also considering respect, accountability
and the impact of language.
The message of the campaign was clear:
Speak Freely. Speak Responsibly.
At the conclusion of the session, students were invited to take a voluntary
pledge to use social media responsibly, communicate with respect, reject
abusive language, stand against online harassment and promote a safer and more
inclusive digital community.
Through initiatives such as this, Bougainvillea Art Foundation
continues to create meaningful conversations with young people around issues that
affect their everyday lives encouraging them to think, discuss, learn and
take action toward more respectful communities.
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