Section 19 of The Navy Act, 1957
- (1)No person subject to naval law shall, without the express sanction of the Central Government,--
- (a)be a member of, or be associated in any way with, any trade union, labour union, political association or with any class of trade unions, labour unions or political associations, or
- (b)be a member of, or be associated in any way with, any other society, institution, association or organisation that is not recognised as part of the Armed Forces of the Union or is not of a purely social, recreational or religious nature. Explanation.--If any question arises as to whether any society, institution, association or organisation is of a purely social, recreational or religious nature, the decision of the Central Government thereon shall be final.
- (2)No person subject to naval law shall attend or address any meeting or take any part in any demonstration organised by any body of persons for any political purposes or for such other purposes as may be specified in this behalf by the Central Government.
- (3)No person subject to naval law shall communicate with the press or publish or cause to be published any book, letter or other document having bearing on any naval, army or air force subject or containing any fact or opinion calculated to embarrass the relations between the Government and the people or any section thereof or between the Government and any foreign country, except with the previous sanction of the Central Government.
- (4)No person subject to naval law shall whilst he is so subject practise any profession or carry on any occupation, trade or business without the previous sanction of the Chief of the Naval staff.
Summary
- Naval personnel are strictly forbidden from joining political groups or trade unions without express government permission.
- Personnel cannot join any society unless it is part of the Armed Forces or purely social, recreational, or religious.
- Attending or speaking at any political demonstration or meeting is completely banned.
- Personnel cannot publish books or speak to the press about military matters, or embarrass the government, without prior sanction.
- Nobody in the navy can run a business or practice an outside profession without permission from the Chief of the Naval Staff.
Practical examples
FAQ
1. Can I join a labor union under Section 19 of The Navy Act 1957?
No, you cannot be a member of any trade or labor union without the express sanction of the Central Government.
2. Who decides if a club is recreational under Section 19 of the naval law?
If a question arises about whether an organization is purely social, recreational, or religious, the Central Government makes the final decision.
3. Can I write a book about my military experience according to Section 19 of the Act?
You can only publish a book bearing on naval, army, or air force subjects if you get previous sanction from the Central Government.
4. Do I need permission to start a side business under Section 19 of the naval statute?
Yes, you cannot practice a profession or carry on a trade or business without the previous sanction of the Chief of the Naval Staff.
Test yourself
Q1.Who must give previous sanction before a naval officer can carry on a private trade or business?
Q2.Which type of organization is a sailor freely allowed to join without special permission?
Q3.What happens if there is a dispute over whether a local group is actually a political association or just a social club?
Q4.Which of the following activities regarding the press and publishing is prohibited without Central Government sanction?
Q5.Can naval personnel attend a demonstration organized for a political purpose?