News Analysis India

Tag: Dharam Sansad

  • Place on record that no untoward statement will be made: SC to Uttarakhand chief secy on Dharam Sansad

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Uttarakhand chief secretary to place on record that no untoward statement will be made at the ‘Dharam Sansad’ scheduled in Roorkee.

    The event is scheduled for Wednesday.

    A three-judge bench headed by Justice A M Khanwilkar took note of the assurance given by the Uttarakhand government that authorities are confident that no untoward statement will be made during the event and all steps as per decisions of this court will be taken.

    “We direct the chief secretary of Uttarakhand to place the above position on record and apprise us about the corrective measures,” the bench also comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and C T Ravikumar said.

    FIRS were earlier registered in connection with the three-day Dharam Sansad that was held in Haridwar last December where hate speeches were made targeting members of a community.

  • Dharam Sansad hate speech cases: SC seeks status report from  Uttarakhand government

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the State of Uttarakhand to file a status report on the probe into the alleged hate speech at Dharam Sansad events held in December 2021.

    The court was informed by the state government that it registered four First information reports (FIRs) in connection with the case. The state counsel also informed the court that three charge sheets have been filed in the matter. 

    Senior advocate Kapil Sibal appearing for journalist Qurban Ali and advocate Anjana Prakash (petitioners) informed the top court that the matter needs to be heard soon as another event is scheduled this Sunday in Himachal Pradesh. They have filed an application to make Himachal Pradesh a party to the case.The bench headed by Justice AM Khanwilkar also granted liberty to the petitioners to intimate the collector and superintendent of police of the area about the event.

    The petition seeks directions to ensure that an independent, credible and impartial investigation is conducted into the incidents of hate speeches against the Muslim community including the speeches delivered in two day event (December 17-19, 2021) at Haridwar and Delhi by an SIT or otherwise as deemed appropriate by the court.

    The top court issued a notice in the matter in January. 

    It is submitted in the plea that the alleged hate speeches consisted of open calls for genocide of Muslims in order to achieve ethnic cleansing. “It is pertinent to note that the said speeches are not mere hate speeches but amount to an open call for the murder of an entire community. The said speeches thus, pose a grave threat not just to the unity and integrity of our country but also endanger the lives of millions of Muslim citizens.” It said,

    The plea has submitted that the hate speeches are extreme examples of incitement and advocating of violence and therefore fails the test laid down in the Shreya Singhal case. “That the contents of the speech feed into an already prevailing discourse which seeks to reimagine the Indian Republic as exclusivist, and that which has no space for other cultures, traditions, and practices. Such a discourse is in itself violative of constitutional guarantees provided to minority cultures and religions in India,” it added.

    The plea talks about  Article 7 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as adopted by the General Assembly provides that everyone is equal and entitled to equal protection against discrimination, and against incitement to such discrimination. 

    “Further, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which India ratified in 1992 places positive obligations to limit speech on governments… Article 20 (2) requires governments who adopt the ICCPR to prohibit “hate speech,” the plea reads.

    The next date of hearing is on April 22.

  • ‘Dharam Sansad’ row: SC issues notice to Centre on plea on alleged hate speeches

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought responses from the Centre and others on a petition seeking a direction to ensure investigation and action against those who allegedly made hate speeches during two events held recently in Haridwar and the national capital.

    A bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana issued notice on the plea filed by journalist Qurban Ali and former Patna High Court judge and senior advocate Anjana Prakash, who have sought a direction for an “independent, credible and impartial investigation” by an SIT into the incidents of alleged hate speeches.

    The bench also comprising Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli permitted the petitioners to give representation to the local authority against holding of future ‘Dharam Sansad’.

    It posted the matter for hearing after 10 days.

    The plea, which specifically referred to the alleged hate speeches delivered between the “17th and 19th of December 2021 at Haridwar and Delhi”, has also sought compliance of apex court’s guidelines to deal with such speeches.

    One event was organised in Haridwar by Yati Narsinghanand and the other in Delhi by ‘Hindu Yuva Vahini’ allegedly “calling for genocide of members” of a community, it said.

  • Kalicharan Maharaj sent to judicial custody till January 13

    By ANI

    RAIPUR: Hindu religious leader Kalicharan Maharaj, who was arrested by the Chhattisgarh police for his alleged derogatory remarks against Mahatma Gandhi was sent to judicial custody till January 13 by a Raipur court on Friday.

    “The police presented Kalicharan today in court as the police interrogation had been completed. He had been sent to 13-day judicial custody. We have filed a bail application in sessions court today,” Saurabh Mishra told ANI.

    Earlier on Thursday, Kalicharan had been sent to remand for two days by the court.

    He was arrested by Chhattisgarh Police from Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh for his alleged derogatory remarks against Mahatma Gandhi and provocative statements against minorities at ‘Dharam Sansad’ (religious council) held in Raipur on December 26.

    “Kalicharan has been arrested and charged with sedition. During the investigation, on the basis of evidence, sections 153 A (1) (A), 153 B (1) (A), 295 A, 505 (1) (B) have also been included,” said Chhattisgarh Police.

    A case has been registered against him in Tikrapara Police Station of Raipur.

    Following his arrest, the Madhya Pradesh government has alleged that Chhattisgarh’s Congress government violated the interstate protocols by arresting Kalicharan Maharaj without informing the Madhya Pradesh police.