Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, Oct 21: The Supreme Court issued an important ruling on Friday, directing the police in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand to act independently in cases of hate speech without considering the religion of the perpetrators.
KM Joseph and Hrishikesh Roy, who make up the bench of justices, expressed dismay at some of the remarks and hate speech directed at minority communities during recent religious services.
“Respondents will issue directions to their subordinates in this regard without looking at the religion of the accused, so that the secular nature of India is preserved,” the Court ordered.
The Court emphasised that going forward, the police must act proactively in these situations rather than waiting for complaints. The Court further ordered the three police forces to submit their comments regarding the actions taken in response to the petitioner’s highlighted hate remarks.
“File a response as to what action has been taken for the speeches highlighted,” the order said.
The words were disturbing, the court noted throughout the hearing, and it questioned what impact religion was having on people.
“Where have we reached? What have we reduced religion to? It is tragic. And we speak of scientific temper,” asked Justice Joseph.
“Statements are certainly very shocking for a country that is to be religion neutral,” Justice Roy said.
Shaheen Abdulla filed a petition asking the court to intervene in order to curb the “increasing scourge of targeting and intimidating the Muslim community in India.” The plea was being heard by the court.
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Members of the ruling party are allegedly involved in hate crimes, physical assaults, and remarks with strong communal overtones directed at Muslims and other minority communities.
The petitioner stated that between December 17 and December 19, 2021, hate statements consisting of outright incitement for the annihilation of Muslims were delivered by nine leaders at two distinct meetings held in Delhi (by the Hindu Yuva Vahini) and Haridwar (by Yati Narsinghanand).
Similar events were held at Allahabad on January 29, 2022, Talkatora Stadium, Delhi on May 5, and Badarpur (Haryana) on September 4.
