The expression Sedition generally means of defamation of the State but the legal meaning of Sedition is different. Sedition is crime against the State and includes the misdemeanour of publishing verbally or otherwise any words or documents with the intention of exciting disaffection, hatred or contempt, against the Sovereign or the Government and Constitution of the Kingdom or either house of Parliament and the Administration of Justice.

The gist of the offence of Sedition is incitement to violence, mere abusive words are not enough. The acts or words complained of must incite public disorder or must cause reasonable anticipation or likelihood of public disorder in order to constitute disaffection. The intention of the speaker writer or publisher may be inferred from the particular speech, Article or letter. The requisite intention cannot be attributed if the person was not aware of the contents of the seditious publication. Feeling of hatred, contempt or disaffection would be excited towards the Government.