Express News Service
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday issued notice to the Centre in a petition filed by Shaheen Abdullah seeking action under penal statutes & UAPA against speakers involved in delivering provocative speeches targetting the Muslim community as well as organisations providing platforms to such speakers.
A bench of Justices Ajay Rastogi and CT Ravikumar tagged Abdullah’s petition which also sought an independent probe into the incidents of hate speech and hate crimes against the Muslim community with the batch of pleas seeking to curb hate speech.
Urging the bench to take action against the leaders involved in such speeches, senior advocate Kapil Sibal said, “Something needs to be done. If courts also do not do anything then God will save this country.” Taking exception to Sibal’s remarks, Justice Rastogi said, “do not take our institutions or this country for granted”. It (hate speeches) will go on. Adding that the court can take cognisance against individuals upon registration of FIR, the bench termed the reliefs sought in the plea as vague.
The petition had argued that despite the fact that the court was cognisant of the genocidal speeches and hate crimes against Muslims made at several events and passing several orders directing the concerned authorities to take appropriate action, the circumstances of the country only seemed to be worsening with the growing radicalisation of the Hindu community and the propagation of widespread hate against Muslims.
“Action seems to be forthcoming against the speakers or the parties that organise such events where genocidal and hateful speeches are delivered. In most cases, minimal action of merely registering FIRs and that too under lesser offences is the only thing that is done by the authorities which seems to be more of a formality than any genuine initiation of the criminal machinery.
The Government also refrains from publicly condemning the growing incidents of verbal and physical assault against Muslims across the country, despite being the guardian of all the citizens of this country,” the petition stated. The bench on September 21 had asked the Modi government to indicate within two weeks its stand as to whether it intends to bring any law to curb the menace.
Also in top court
Centre’s reply sought on feeding roomsThe Supreme Court on Thursday sought the Centre’s response in a petition seeking the construction of a feeding room, child care room and crèches for infants and mothers in public places. A bench of Justices Dinesh Maheshwari and JK Maheshwari while issuing notice remarked that the matter required serious consideration. It was argued in the petition that such facilities were important for protecting the fundamental rights of nursing mothers and infants.
20% quota in Maha medical seats upheldThe SC upheld the 20% in-service reservation granted by the Maharashtra government to officers in Post Graduate medical education in the state to be implemented from the year 2022-23. “In our considered view, the HC verdict does not call for interference,” the SC said.
Hearing on Kerala student arrest todayThe SC agreed to hear on Friday the plea of a mother whose law student son has been detained under a Kerala law on the prevention of anti-social activities. ‘List it for tomorrow,’ a bench comprising Chief Justice Uday Umesh Lalit and Justice Bela M Trivedi said on Thursday.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday issued notice to the Centre in a petition filed by Shaheen Abdullah seeking action under penal statutes & UAPA against speakers involved in delivering provocative speeches targetting the Muslim community as well as organisations providing platforms to such speakers.
A bench of Justices Ajay Rastogi and CT Ravikumar tagged Abdullah’s petition which also sought an independent probe into the incidents of hate speech and hate crimes against the Muslim community with the batch of pleas seeking to curb hate speech.
Urging the bench to take action against the leaders involved in such speeches, senior advocate Kapil Sibal said, “Something needs to be done. If courts also do not do anything then God will save this country.” Taking exception to Sibal’s remarks, Justice Rastogi said, “do not take our institutions or this country for granted”. It (hate speeches) will go on. Adding that the court can take cognisance against individuals upon registration of FIR, the bench termed the reliefs sought in the plea as vague.
The petition had argued that despite the fact that the court was cognisant of the genocidal speeches and hate crimes against Muslims made at several events and passing several orders directing the concerned authorities to take appropriate action, the circumstances of the country only seemed to be worsening with the growing radicalisation of the Hindu community and the propagation of widespread hate against Muslims.
“Action seems to be forthcoming against the speakers or the parties that organise such events where genocidal and hateful speeches are delivered. In most cases, minimal action of merely registering FIRs and that too under lesser offences is the only thing that is done by the authorities which seems to be more of a formality than any genuine initiation of the criminal machinery.
The Government also refrains from publicly condemning the growing incidents of verbal and physical assault against Muslims across the country, despite being the guardian of all the citizens of this country,” the petition stated. The bench on September 21 had asked the Modi government to indicate within two weeks its stand as to whether it intends to bring any law to curb the menace.
Also in top court
Centre’s reply sought on feeding rooms
The Supreme Court on Thursday sought the Centre’s response in a petition seeking the construction of a feeding room, child care room and crèches for infants and mothers in public places. A bench of Justices Dinesh Maheshwari and JK Maheshwari while issuing notice remarked that the matter required serious consideration. It was argued in the petition that such facilities were important for protecting the fundamental rights of nursing mothers and infants.
20% quota in Maha medical seats upheld
The SC upheld the 20% in-service reservation granted by the Maharashtra government to officers in Post Graduate medical education in the state to be implemented from the year 2022-23. “In our considered view, the HC verdict does not call for interference,” the SC said.
Hearing on Kerala student arrest today
The SC agreed to hear on Friday the plea of a mother whose law student son has been detained under a Kerala law on the prevention of anti-social activities. ‘List it for tomorrow,’ a bench comprising Chief Justice Uday Umesh Lalit and Justice Bela M Trivedi said on Thursday.
