The Supreme Court on Tuesday expressed concern over state governments not taking adequate steps to check hate speeches. The top court slammed the Uttarakhand government over the proposed ‘Dharma Sansad’ in Roorkee. The top court said that the governments say they are taking preventive measures, but something different happens at the ground level as incidents of provocative language keep happening despite the apex court’s guidelines on preventive measures.
The court directed the Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand to take on record the corrective measures taken in view of the ‘Dharma Sansad’ (religious assembly) to be held in the state.
Justice A. In its order, a bench headed by M. Khanwilkar said, “The counsel for Uttarakhand submitted that all preventive measures have been taken and the authorities concerned have full confidence that there will be no untoward situation or unacceptable statement during such event.” Has been given.”
“We direct the Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand to inform the corrective measures taken by the officers before the date of next hearing,” the bench said.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the petitioners, told that they are organizing another Dharma Sansad in Roorkee on Wednesday. The bench comprising Justice Abhay S. Oka and Justice C.T. Ravikumar were also present. The bench further said that if any announcement is made, the state government will have to act and follow the guidelines laid down in the Poonawalla case.
The counsel for Uttarakhand submitted that FIRs have been registered against communities A and B and there is a difficulty in terms of preventive measures – if they are holding Dharma Sansad, it is difficult to have information on the text. To this the bench replied, “If there is only one speaker then you should take preventive action. Don’t tell us what we don’t want to speak.”
To this the lawyer said, “We are taking measures.. Let them believe in us. We are taking steps.” The bench observed that the matter was not a matter of trust, and asked the counsel to speak to the IG and the secretary regarding remedial action.
“What we see is something different on the ground. Despite subsequent decisions on preventive measures, things are happening,” the bench said.
The counsel for the Uttarakhand government said that the counsel for the petitioners were focusing on a particular community, to which Sibal told, “The community you are supporting is also doing certain things.”
Justice Khanwilkar said, “What kind of argument is this? This is not the way to argue in court.” The bench, after hearing the arguments, said that the government knows what the preventive measures are and if it happens, the court can ask the chief secretary to appear.
“You have to stop this activity. These incidents do not happen suddenly, they are announced in advance,” the bench told the counsel for Himachal Pradesh in relation to a religious meeting held in April.
The top court asked the hill state government to file an affidavit about the steps taken to stop it. The top court has fixed the matter for next hearing on May 9.
The court was hearing an application filed by journalist Kurban Ali and senior advocate Anjana Prakash, seeking criminal action against people who allegedly made hate speeches in the Parliament of Religions.
With input from IANS
