On Wednesday, the Supreme Court strongly condemned hate speech, stating that it would cease the instant politics and religion were separated and politicians should stop utilising religion for political purposes. The highest court said that hate speech is being expressed by fringe groups and that people should exercise curb themselves.
Justices KM Joseph and BV Nagarathna’s panel cited past Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s speeches, noting that people would go from far-off places and every to hear them.
The bench questioned how many persons the courts can punish for contempt speech and asked why Indians should not sign a pledge promising not to defame other people or groups of people.
When considering a contempt petition against several state authorities for failing to file FIRs against persons making hate speeches, the court stated,” Everyday fringe elements are making speeches to vilify others including on TV and public forums,”
In addition, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta brought up a withering remark made by a person in Kerala about a particular group of people, and he questioned petitioner Shaheen Abdullah’s selection to highlight only certain instances of hate speech throughout the nation.
Irrespective of the offender’s faith, the Supreme Court has also ordered the governments of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Delhi to take immediate action against hate speech crimes.