The Indian Newspaper Society, the apex body of the print media industry, has expressed shock and outrage at the reported threat of action under the draconian Official Secrets Act against The Hindu.

The threat made in the Supreme Court by the attorney-general, who had appeared on behalf of the government in the Rafale case hearing, is unconscionable and utterly unacceptable in a democracy, the Society said in a statement.

It has asked the government and parties to come together and repeal the “antediluvian law as it is sought to be used against the media for publishing unpalatable truths about the government”.

“This Act is a throwback to colonial times, when it was used to browbeat the Indian society and media,” the statement said, adding it has no place in a democracy.