A six-inch ordinary folding knife is also an arm which incidentally is not restricted. Nowadays in public places it is so, but typically I can walk with one in my pocket without license or doing anything illegal.
It may be illegal if there is a Notification applicable in your area, issued under Section 4 of Arms Act 1959 or some other law with similar effect. Please check if such notification or law with similar effect is in force in your area.
But had the usage of the term "arms" been "acknowledged" to cover any blade/ NP firearm then pushing RKBA would have been simplified.
Acquisition, possession and carrying of firearms and ammunition is "regulated" by licenses under Section 3 of Arms Act 1959. Acquisition, possession and carrying of arms other than firearms is "regulated" by Notification under Section 4 of Arms Act 1959. Reference:
http://www.abhijeetsingh.com/arms/india ... r_1_2.html
The police can still restrict even a 1.5" nail-cutter file to be carried in public meetings under the policy and without 'touching' the Constitution in any manner.
Police on its own cannot "create" a law and enforce it. There has to be some legislation that has force of law. Police can enforce that law. Like if there is a notification under Section 4 of Arms Act 1959, Police can enforce that law.
So while I have the right to carry a 6" folder as an arm, my right to carry a 1.5" file/ blade in a nail-cutter can be restricted should I attend public meeting or go into a public place like a mall in Mumbai.
I am not sure whether you have "right" to carry 6" folder because in another thread it has been mentioned that spring actuated or button actuated knives are "prohibited"(Need to check if there is such notification under Section 4 of Arms Act 1959 or some other law). Reference:
http://indiansforguns.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=149 Even if you have "right" to carry, there is also another catch i.e. element of "intent". If you note the news and police statements, to be legally smart they usually say "Arrested Mr X with knife moving under "suspicious" behavior and circumstances"
We already have lost the Fundamental Right to Property under Mrs. G in 1970s. So 'Castle Doctrine' since has become defunct in India.
Sections 96 to 106 IPC for Right of Private Defense are very much there. Found an interesting related quote while reading another thread:
"The usual road to slavery is that first they take away your guns, then they take away your property, then last of all they tell you to shut up and say you are enjoying it." -- James A. Donald
"If my mother tongue is shaking the foundations of your State, it probably means that you built your State on my land" - Musa Anter, Kurdish writer, assassinated by the Turkish secret services in 1992
Hence usage of the word "acknowledged" - not "assumed". *Acknowledgement* is more open, clear and precise than what is *assumed*. IMHO, Consider the Fundamental Right to assemble peaceably *and* without arms -> A six-inch ordinary folding knife is also an arm which incidentally is not restricted. Nowadays in public places it is so, but typically I can walk with one in my pocket without license or doing anything illegal. Now one has to "assume" that the arms mentioned up there also cover NP firearms. But had the usage of the term "arms" been "acknowledged" to cover any blade/ NP firearm then pushing RKBA would have been simplified. The police can still restrict even a 1.5" nail-cutter file to be carried in public meetings under the policy and without 'touching' the Constitution in any manner. So while I have the right to carry a 6" folder as an arm, my right to carry a 1.5" file/ blade in a nail-cutter can be restricted should I attend public meeting or go into a public place like a mall in Mumbai. Correct me if wrong.