Tag: hate speech

  • Islamic Cleric Salman Azhari Arrested By Gujarat ATS From Mumbai In Hate Speech Case; Supporters Protest Outside Police Station

    Hundreds of suppporters of Salman Azhari gheraoed the Ghatkopar police station and raised slogans in his support.

  • No scope for hate crimes on basis of religion in secular country such as India: Supreme Court

    PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday observed that there is a growing consensus around hate speech and stressed there is no scope for hate crimes on the basis of religion in a secular country such as India.

    “There cannot be any compromise on hate speech at all,” the top court said and added that it is only if the State acknowledges the problem of hate speech that a solution can be found.

    It also said that it is the primary duty of the State to protect its citizens from any such hate crimes.

    A bench of justices KM Joseph and BV Nagarathna said, “When action is not taken against hate crimes then an atmosphere is fostered which is very dangerous and it has to be rooted out from our lives. There cannot be any compromise on hate speech at all.”

    The top court was hearing a plea of a Muslim man who has alleged that he was assaulted and abused in the name of religion on July 4, 2021, by a “screwdriver gang” of criminals as he had boarded a car to go to Aligarh from Noida, and that the police has not bothered to register any complaint of hate crime.

    The bench told Additional Solicitor General (ASG) KM Nataraj, appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government, that, “Nowadays there is a growing consensus around hate speech. There is no scope for hate crimes in the name of religion in a secular country like India. It has to be rooted out and it is the primary duty of the state to protect its citizens from any such crimes. If a person comes to the police and says that I was wearing a cap and my beard was pulled and abused in the name of religion and still no complaint is registered, then it is a problem,” it said.

    Justice Joseph said action of every state officer augments respect for the law.

    Otherwise, everyone will take the law into their own hands, he said.

    ALSO READ | ‘Ideology of hate’ consuming India, says Gandhi’s great-grandson

    The bench, which sat till 6 pm hearing the matter, said, “Will you not acknowledge that there is a hate crime and you will sweep it under the carpet? We are not saying anything adverse. We are only expressing our anguish. That is all.”

    Senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, appearing for the petitioner Kazeem Ahmad Sherwani, said it was on January 13 that this court had asked the state government to produce the case diary that police had registered the FIR after two years and that too with all bailable offences barring one.

    Nataraj conceded that there were lapses on part of police officials and said that a special investigation team has been constituted headed by an ACP-rank officer and disciplinary action has been taken against erring police officials.

    The bench said, “You set an example and let such people face consequences for dereliction of duty. It is only when you take action against such incidents that we will come at par with developed nations. Yes, there has been clear lapse and there is nothing wrong in admitting a mistake”.

    Nataraj said that on July 4, 2021, when the alleged incident had taken place, the victim had gone to a police outpost in Sector 37 in Noida where no senior police official but constables were present.

    Hence, no complaint was registered, he said.

    “Then he went to the hospital in Jamia Nagar and gave a statement to the Delhi Police that he was robbed, assaulted and suffered injuries. Nowhere he said that it was a case of hate crime or was assaulted because he was Muslim,” Nataraj said.

    Justice Nagarathna said, “At any point of time the victim cannot be met with disparaging remarks. Victim should not make it look as if he is a perpetrator of crime”.

    Justice Joseph said be in minority or majority, certain rights are inherent in human beings.”You are born into a family and raised in one. We have no choice on our religion, but we stand out as a nation. That’s the beauty, the greatness of our nation. We have to understand this,” he told Nataraj.

    Justice Joseph referring to a recent incident in Rajasthan said a mute person was attacked but it was later found that the victim was Hindu.

    “If you ignore this (hate crime), then one day it will come for you,” he said, adding that there is no doubt that some people have a communal attitude.

    The ASG said that eight FIRs have been registered against the gang members and action has been taken against them.

    The bench then asked when the first FIR was registered against the gang members and how many people were arrested and were they the same people, who attacked the victim and when were they bailed out.

    Nataraj said he will file an affidavit giving details of all the FIRs but pointed out that the first FIR was registered in June 2021 against the “screwdriver gang” members and they have not discriminated in attacking Muslims or Hindus.

    Advocate Ahmadi said it took two years to acknowledge that there was a criminal incident and in two affidavits filed by the Uttar Pradesh government, police have said that there was no hate crime.

    “On July 5, 2021, a police patrol had come to my house and asked not to press for hate crime angle”, he said, adding that the victim’s beard was pulled and stripped and made fun of for being circumcised in a car.

    The bench said that it cannot issue a pan-India direction on the victim’s petition under Article 32, as it may not be a case symptomatic of what is happening across the country or otherwise it will flood the courts.

    ALSO READ | Take offending anchors off air: Supreme Court on hate speech

    Nataraj said police has not denied that there was not a criminal incident but no where it was found that it was a hate crime and the victim has tried to take advantage of media hype and changed its statements.

    The bench asked the Uttar Pradesh government to file a detailed affidavit and posted the matter for further hearing on March 3.

    On October 21 last year, the apex court had asked Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Delhi to crack down hard on those making hate speeches, observing, “where have we reached in the name of religion, what have we reduced religion to is tragic”.

    Holding that the Constitution of India envisages a secular nation, the court had directed the three states to promptly register criminal cases against the offenders without waiting for a complaint to be filed.

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday observed that there is a growing consensus around hate speech and stressed there is no scope for hate crimes on the basis of religion in a secular country such as India.

    “There cannot be any compromise on hate speech at all,” the top court said and added that it is only if the State acknowledges the problem of hate speech that a solution can be found.

    It also said that it is the primary duty of the State to protect its citizens from any such hate crimes.

    A bench of justices KM Joseph and BV Nagarathna said, “When action is not taken against hate crimes then an atmosphere is fostered which is very dangerous and it has to be rooted out from our lives. There cannot be any compromise on hate speech at all.”

    The top court was hearing a plea of a Muslim man who has alleged that he was assaulted and abused in the name of religion on July 4, 2021, by a “screwdriver gang” of criminals as he had boarded a car to go to Aligarh from Noida, and that the police has not bothered to register any complaint of hate crime.

    The bench told Additional Solicitor General (ASG) KM Nataraj, appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government, that, “Nowadays there is a growing consensus around hate speech. There is no scope for hate crimes in the name of religion in a secular country like India. It has to be rooted out and it is the primary duty of the state to protect its citizens from any such crimes. If a person comes to the police and says that I was wearing a cap and my beard was pulled and abused in the name of religion and still no complaint is registered, then it is a problem,” it said.

    Justice Joseph said action of every state officer augments respect for the law.

    Otherwise, everyone will take the law into their own hands, he said.

    ALSO READ | ‘Ideology of hate’ consuming India, says Gandhi’s great-grandson

    The bench, which sat till 6 pm hearing the matter, said, “Will you not acknowledge that there is a hate crime and you will sweep it under the carpet? We are not saying anything adverse. We are only expressing our anguish. That is all.”

    Senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, appearing for the petitioner Kazeem Ahmad Sherwani, said it was on January 13 that this court had asked the state government to produce the case diary that police had registered the FIR after two years and that too with all bailable offences barring one.

    Nataraj conceded that there were lapses on part of police officials and said that a special investigation team has been constituted headed by an ACP-rank officer and disciplinary action has been taken against erring police officials.

    The bench said, “You set an example and let such people face consequences for dereliction of duty. It is only when you take action against such incidents that we will come at par with developed nations. Yes, there has been clear lapse and there is nothing wrong in admitting a mistake”.

    Nataraj said that on July 4, 2021, when the alleged incident had taken place, the victim had gone to a police outpost in Sector 37 in Noida where no senior police official but constables were present.

    Hence, no complaint was registered, he said.

    “Then he went to the hospital in Jamia Nagar and gave a statement to the Delhi Police that he was robbed, assaulted and suffered injuries. Nowhere he said that it was a case of hate crime or was assaulted because he was Muslim,” Nataraj said.

    Justice Nagarathna said, “At any point of time the victim cannot be met with disparaging remarks. Victim should not make it look as if he is a perpetrator of crime”.

    Justice Joseph said be in minority or majority, certain rights are inherent in human beings.”You are born into a family and raised in one. We have no choice on our religion, but we stand out as a nation. That’s the beauty, the greatness of our nation. We have to understand this,” he told Nataraj.

    Justice Joseph referring to a recent incident in Rajasthan said a mute person was attacked but it was later found that the victim was Hindu.

    “If you ignore this (hate crime), then one day it will come for you,” he said, adding that there is no doubt that some people have a communal attitude.

    The ASG said that eight FIRs have been registered against the gang members and action has been taken against them.

    The bench then asked when the first FIR was registered against the gang members and how many people were arrested and were they the same people, who attacked the victim and when were they bailed out.

    Nataraj said he will file an affidavit giving details of all the FIRs but pointed out that the first FIR was registered in June 2021 against the “screwdriver gang” members and they have not discriminated in attacking Muslims or Hindus.

    Advocate Ahmadi said it took two years to acknowledge that there was a criminal incident and in two affidavits filed by the Uttar Pradesh government, police have said that there was no hate crime.

    “On July 5, 2021, a police patrol had come to my house and asked not to press for hate crime angle”, he said, adding that the victim’s beard was pulled and stripped and made fun of for being circumcised in a car.

    The bench said that it cannot issue a pan-India direction on the victim’s petition under Article 32, as it may not be a case symptomatic of what is happening across the country or otherwise it will flood the courts.

    ALSO READ | Take offending anchors off air: Supreme Court on hate speech

    Nataraj said police has not denied that there was not a criminal incident but no where it was found that it was a hate crime and the victim has tried to take advantage of media hype and changed its statements.

    The bench asked the Uttar Pradesh government to file a detailed affidavit and posted the matter for further hearing on March 3.

    On October 21 last year, the apex court had asked Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Delhi to crack down hard on those making hate speeches, observing, “where have we reached in the name of religion, what have we reduced religion to is tragic”.

    Holding that the Constitution of India envisages a secular nation, the court had directed the three states to promptly register criminal cases against the offenders without waiting for a complaint to be filed.

  • SC directs videography of Sakal Hindu Samaj meet in Mumbai; asks to submit contents to court 

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Maharashtra government to only allow rallies scheduled to be organised by Sakal Hindu Samaj in Mumbai on February 5 subject to the condition that “none will make any hate speech or disturb the public order.” 

    A bench of Justices KM Joseph and JB Pardiwala also directed for video graphing the rally and submitting the contents of the same. 

    “Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal points out that having regards to what has happened on an earlier occasion, the meeting may be held on the permission which may be granted and the same shall be video graphed and the same shall be presented to this court. We are inclined to accept this prayer as well. SG has no objection to the meeting being video graphed if it takes place,” the court said in its order. 

    The bench also directed the police to take preventive action to prevent hate speech if necessary. The court also asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta for Maharashtra Govt to also seek instructions with regards to the recent event organised by Sakal Hindu Samaj under the banner of “Hindu Jan Aakrosh Sabha” on January 29, 2023. 

    The plea had also sought for directing DGP, Maharashtra and other authorities to take adequate action. It was argued in the plea that a shocking number of children are also seen participating in these rallies and chanting hateful slogans against the Muslim community. 

    “The mass participation at these rallies being organized not just with the consent and knowledge of Government authorities but with their active participation, pose a serious threat to the very foundation of our nation as a secular nation. The hatred being taught and the radicalization of youth being carried out with such impunity will inevitably lead to communal disharmony and violence of an unfathomable scale across the country,” the plea stated.

    The plea had also sought for directing DGP, Maharashtra to also explain the measures taken by them to stop the rally, further show the causes and the reason for such failure and also record the same and place the footage, transcripts and translations before SC. 

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Maharashtra government to only allow rallies scheduled to be organised by Sakal Hindu Samaj in Mumbai on February 5 subject to the condition that “none will make any hate speech or disturb the public order.” 

    A bench of Justices KM Joseph and JB Pardiwala also directed for video graphing the rally and submitting the contents of the same. 

    “Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal points out that having regards to what has happened on an earlier occasion, the meeting may be held on the permission which may be granted and the same shall be video graphed and the same shall be presented to this court. We are inclined to accept this prayer as well. SG has no objection to the meeting being video graphed if it takes place,” the court said in its order. 

    The bench also directed the police to take preventive action to prevent hate speech if necessary. The court also asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta for Maharashtra Govt to also seek instructions with regards to the recent event organised by Sakal Hindu Samaj under the banner of “Hindu Jan Aakrosh Sabha” on January 29, 2023. 

    The plea had also sought for directing DGP, Maharashtra and other authorities to take adequate action. It was argued in the plea that a shocking number of children are also seen participating in these rallies and chanting hateful slogans against the Muslim community. 

    “The mass participation at these rallies being organized not just with the consent and knowledge of Government authorities but with their active participation, pose a serious threat to the very foundation of our nation as a secular nation. The hatred being taught and the radicalization of youth being carried out with such impunity will inevitably lead to communal disharmony and violence of an unfathomable scale across the country,” the plea stated.

    The plea had also sought for directing DGP, Maharashtra to also explain the measures taken by them to stop the rally, further show the causes and the reason for such failure and also record the same and place the footage, transcripts and translations before SC. 

  • CPI(M) wants actor Paresh Rawal prosecuted for ‘hate speech’ at Gujarat rally

    By Online Desk

    KOLKATA: CPI(M) leader Md Salim on Friday said he has lodged a police complaint here against Paresh Rawal, alleging that the veteran actor made utterances during a recent poll rally in Gujarat that tantamounted to hate speech against the Bengali community.

    Salim, in his complaint to Taratola Police Station, said he came across a video on various social media platforms featuring the actor giving a speech, which could promote feelings of hatred against Bengalis.

    The CPI(M) leader said he apprehended that people from Bengal residing in other parts of the country could get affected as a result of Rawal’s comments.

    “Such speech on public domain has been made to provoke riots and destroy harmony between Bengali community and other communities across the country, and cause public mischief,” Salim claimed.

    Paresh Rawal, on Tuesday in Valsad, which voted in the first phase of the Gujarat election yesterday, said the people of Gujarat would tolerate inflation but not “Bangladeshis and Rohingya” next door. “Gas cylinders are expensive, but their price will come down. People will get employment too. But what will happen if Rohingya migrants and Bangladeshis start living around you, like in Delhi? What will you do with gas cylinders? Cook fish for the Bengalis?” he asked. “Gujarat people can tolerate inflation but not this … The way they deliver verbal abuses. A person among them needs to wear diaper on his mouth,” he added.

    Rawal, however, apologised for his comments but continued to make prejudiced remarks. He claimed he meant “illegal Bangladeshis and Rohingya” when he used the word “Bengalis”. “Of course the fish is not the issue as Gujaratis do cook and eat fish. But let me clarify – by Bengali I meant illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya. But still if I have hurt your feelings and sentiments, I do apologise,” he posted.

    Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra wrote: “Actually Kemchho Slapstickman need not have apologised. The second part of Cook Fish like Bengalis is “Have Brains like Bengalis” Most nobel laureates than any other Indian state, buddy boy.”

    of course the fish is not the issue AS GUJARATIS DO COOK AND EAT FISH . BUT LET ME CLARIFY BY BENGALI I MEANT ILLEGAL BANGLA DESHI N ROHINGYA. BUT STILL IF I HAVE HURT YOUR FEELINGS AND SENTIMENTS I DO APOLOGISE. https://t.co/MQZ674wTzq
    — Paresh Rawal (@SirPareshRawal) December 2, 2022
    (With PTI inputs)

    KOLKATA: CPI(M) leader Md Salim on Friday said he has lodged a police complaint here against Paresh Rawal, alleging that the veteran actor made utterances during a recent poll rally in Gujarat that tantamounted to hate speech against the Bengali community.

    Salim, in his complaint to Taratola Police Station, said he came across a video on various social media platforms featuring the actor giving a speech, which could promote feelings of hatred against Bengalis.

    The CPI(M) leader said he apprehended that people from Bengal residing in other parts of the country could get affected as a result of Rawal’s comments.

    “Such speech on public domain has been made to provoke riots and destroy harmony between Bengali community and other communities across the country, and cause public mischief,” Salim claimed.

    Paresh Rawal, on Tuesday in Valsad, which voted in the first phase of the Gujarat election yesterday, said the people of Gujarat would tolerate inflation but not “Bangladeshis and Rohingya” next door. “Gas cylinders are expensive, but their price will come down. People will get employment too. But what will happen if Rohingya migrants and Bangladeshis start living around you, like in Delhi? What will you do with gas cylinders? Cook fish for the Bengalis?” he asked. “Gujarat people can tolerate inflation but not this … The way they deliver verbal abuses. A person among them needs to wear diaper on his mouth,” he added.

    Rawal, however, apologised for his comments but continued to make prejudiced remarks. He claimed he meant “illegal Bangladeshis and Rohingya” when he used the word “Bengalis”. “Of course the fish is not the issue as Gujaratis do cook and eat fish. But let me clarify – by Bengali I meant illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya. But still if I have hurt your feelings and sentiments, I do apologise,” he posted.

    Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra wrote: “Actually Kemchho Slapstickman need not have apologised. The second part of Cook Fish like Bengalis is “Have Brains like Bengalis” Most nobel laureates than any other Indian state, buddy boy.”

    of course the fish is not the issue AS GUJARATIS DO COOK AND EAT FISH . BUT LET ME CLARIFY BY BENGALI I MEANT ILLEGAL BANGLA DESHI N ROHINGYA. BUT STILL IF I HAVE HURT YOUR FEELINGS AND SENTIMENTS I DO APOLOGISE. https://t.co/MQZ674wTzq
    — Paresh Rawal (@SirPareshRawal) December 2, 2022
    (With PTI inputs)

  • Hate Speech case: Azam Khan gets reprieve, Sessions Court grants bail

    Express News Service

    LUCKNOW: The Rampur Sessions Court, on Tuesday, brought about a big relief to senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan, by granting him bail in the 2019 hate speech case in which was convicted and sentenced to a three-year jail term by the local MP/MLA court on October 26.

    Azam’s conviction in the case under Sections 153 A, 505A, and 125 of IPC, had led to his disqualification from the UP State Assembly resulting in the by-poll to Rampur (Sadar) Assembly seat which he has represented in the UP Assembly for nine times.

    Azam Khan, who has been out on interim bail granted to him by the Supreme Court in the case, had challenged his conviction and sentence in the sessions court of Rampur. The Supreme Court had granted him interim bail till November 16 and it was later extended till November 22.

    After his disqualification, the Rampur Sadar Assembly seat was declared vacant and bypoll on it will take place on December 5.

    Earlier on November 18, his name was deleted from the voter list in Rampur after a complaint filed by BJP by-poll candidate Akash Saxena. The decision was taken by Rampur Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) after the BJP filed an appeal to have Azam Khan’s name removed from the electoral roll, invoking provisions of the Representation of the People Acts (RPA) of 1950 and 1951.

    Khan, after an incarceration of 27 months in Sitapur jail, was released in May after the Supreme Court granted him interim bail in an alleged cheating case. The SP leader is facing 89 criminal cases, including corruption, intimidation, land grabbing and theft.

    Loyalists leave Azam, join saffron bandwagon

    However, while going through the roughest patch in his political and personal life, Azam Khan is facing the exodus of his loyalists from the party in Rampur ahead of bypoll.

    The first shock he received last week was when his close aide and media in-charge Fasahat Ali Khan Shanu left SP to join the saffron brigade. Shanu had once written a letter in his blood to the President of India mentioning how injustice was being meted out to the SP leader who had been fabricated in a series of cases.

    Shanu had also raised a banner of revolt against SP chief Akhilesh Yadav after the UP Assembly elections in 2022 accusing him of not doing much to help Azam Khan who was one of the founding members of the Samajwadi Party.

    Shanu has been followed by Azam’s two more loyalists – Moin Pathan and Asim Aijaz. Both Pathan and Aijaz left SP on Monday night and went on to announce their support for BJP’s by-poll candidate Akash Saxena.

    LUCKNOW: The Rampur Sessions Court, on Tuesday, brought about a big relief to senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan, by granting him bail in the 2019 hate speech case in which was convicted and sentenced to a three-year jail term by the local MP/MLA court on October 26.

    Azam’s conviction in the case under Sections 153 A, 505A, and 125 of IPC, had led to his disqualification from the UP State Assembly resulting in the by-poll to Rampur (Sadar) Assembly seat which he has represented in the UP Assembly for nine times.

    Azam Khan, who has been out on interim bail granted to him by the Supreme Court in the case, had challenged his conviction and sentence in the sessions court of Rampur. The Supreme Court had granted him interim bail till November 16 and it was later extended till November 22.

    After his disqualification, the Rampur Sadar Assembly seat was declared vacant and bypoll on it will take place on December 5.

    Earlier on November 18, his name was deleted from the voter list in Rampur after a complaint filed by BJP by-poll candidate Akash Saxena. The decision was taken by Rampur Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) after the BJP filed an appeal to have Azam Khan’s name removed from the electoral roll, invoking provisions of the Representation of the People Acts (RPA) of 1950 and 1951.

    Khan, after an incarceration of 27 months in Sitapur jail, was released in May after the Supreme Court granted him interim bail in an alleged cheating case. The SP leader is facing 89 criminal cases, including corruption, intimidation, land grabbing and theft.

    Loyalists leave Azam, join saffron bandwagon

    However, while going through the roughest patch in his political and personal life, Azam Khan is facing the exodus of his loyalists from the party in Rampur ahead of bypoll.

    The first shock he received last week was when his close aide and media in-charge Fasahat Ali Khan Shanu left SP to join the saffron brigade. Shanu had once written a letter in his blood to the President of India mentioning how injustice was being meted out to the SP leader who had been fabricated in a series of cases.

    Shanu had also raised a banner of revolt against SP chief Akhilesh Yadav after the UP Assembly elections in 2022 accusing him of not doing much to help Azam Khan who was one of the founding members of the Samajwadi Party.

    Shanu has been followed by Azam’s two more loyalists – Moin Pathan and Asim Aijaz. Both Pathan and Aijaz left SP on Monday night and went on to announce their support for BJP’s by-poll candidate Akash Saxena.

  • Rahul hopes Twitter will now act against hate speech, not stifle voice of opposition in India

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi hoped on Friday that Twitter would now act against hate speech, check facts more robustly and not stifle the voice of the opposition in India, soon after billionaire Elon Musk took over the social media giant and fired four of its top executives.

    Gandhi’s Twitter handle was temporarily locked after he shared a picture of a rape victim and received a notice from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).

    He had not used his account on the microblogging website for some time after that. The Congress leader has been using his Twitter handle to attack the Narendra Modi government often.

    “Congrats @elonmusk. I hope @Twitter will now act against hate speech, fact check more robustly, and will no longer stifle the opposition’s voice in India due to government pressure,” Gandhi tweeted.

    Congrats @elonmusk.I hope @Twitter will now act against hate speech, fact check more robustly, and will no longer stifle the opposition’s voice in India due to government pressure. pic.twitter.com/j2unZeYYj6
    — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 28, 2022
    Musk closed the deal to buy Twitter and tweeted: “The bird is freed”, soon after completing the whopping USD 44 billion takeovers of the website and firing four of its top executives, including CEO Parag Agrawal and legal executive Vijaya Gadde.

    Citing people with knowledge of the situation, a news report said Musk “has started cleaning the house at Twitter with the firings of at least four top executives”.

    Besides Agrawal and Gadde, Twitter’s chief financial officer Ned Segal and general counsel Sean Edgett were also fired.

    “At least one of the executives who was fired was escorted out of Twitter’s office,” the report said. Gandhi also shared a graph of “manipulation” of his Twitter handle.

    It highlighted how, between August 2021 and February 2022, the new followers of the Congress leader were suppressed.

    ALSO READ | Parag Agrawal’s 11-month tenure as Twitter CEO ends as Elon Musk takes control

    Gandhi claimed that he had made 20 appeals to Twitter, even as the social media giant denied any wrongdoing.

    The graph also shows from January 2021, Gandhi’s Twitter account saw the number of new followers growing and after February 2022, it started growing again.

    NEW DELHI: Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi hoped on Friday that Twitter would now act against hate speech, check facts more robustly and not stifle the voice of the opposition in India, soon after billionaire Elon Musk took over the social media giant and fired four of its top executives.

    Gandhi’s Twitter handle was temporarily locked after he shared a picture of a rape victim and received a notice from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).

    He had not used his account on the microblogging website for some time after that. The Congress leader has been using his Twitter handle to attack the Narendra Modi government often.

    “Congrats @elonmusk. I hope @Twitter will now act against hate speech, fact check more robustly, and will no longer stifle the opposition’s voice in India due to government pressure,” Gandhi tweeted.

    Congrats @elonmusk.
    I hope @Twitter will now act against hate speech, fact check more robustly, and will no longer stifle the opposition’s voice in India due to government pressure. pic.twitter.com/j2unZeYYj6
    — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 28, 2022
    Musk closed the deal to buy Twitter and tweeted: “The bird is freed”, soon after completing the whopping USD 44 billion takeovers of the website and firing four of its top executives, including CEO Parag Agrawal and legal executive Vijaya Gadde.

    Citing people with knowledge of the situation, a news report said Musk “has started cleaning the house at Twitter with the firings of at least four top executives”.

    Besides Agrawal and Gadde, Twitter’s chief financial officer Ned Segal and general counsel Sean Edgett were also fired.

    “At least one of the executives who was fired was escorted out of Twitter’s office,” the report said. Gandhi also shared a graph of “manipulation” of his Twitter handle.

    It highlighted how, between August 2021 and February 2022, the new followers of the Congress leader were suppressed.

    ALSO READ | Parag Agrawal’s 11-month tenure as Twitter CEO ends as Elon Musk takes control

    Gandhi claimed that he had made 20 appeals to Twitter, even as the social media giant denied any wrongdoing.

    The graph also shows from January 2021, Gandhi’s Twitter account saw the number of new followers growing and after February 2022, it started growing again.

  • Go after hate speech suo motu, Supreme Court to cops

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI:  Appalled at the proliferation of hate speech, the Supreme Court on Friday directed the police chiefs of Delhi, Uttarakhand and UP to immediately take suo motu action against people irrespective of religion who make them without waiting for a formal complaint. 

    “We make it clear that any hesitation to act in accordance with this direction will be viewed as contempt of this court and appropriate action will be taken against the erring officers. We further make it clear that such action will be taken irrespective of the religion that the maker of the speech or the person who commits such an act belongs to, so that the secular character of Bharat as is envisaged by the Preamble, is preserved and protected,” the bench of justices K M Joseph and Hrishikesh Roy said. 

    They also directed the police chiefs of the three states to file an action-taken report regarding incidents of hate speech within their jurisdiction. “This is the 21st century. What have we reduced God to? Article 51 says we should have a scientific temper. Where have we reached? In the name of religion, it’s tragic,” the bench observed.

    The order came in a petition filed by Shaheen Abdullah who had sought an independent probe into incidents of hate speech and hate crimes against Muslims in these three states. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Abdullah, said that irrespective of the existence of penal provisions and courts asking the police to take preventive action on hate speech, no action had been taken. He said he was forced to approach the court after an October 9 event in Delhi where hate speeches against Muslims were made. 

    “These statements are very disturbing for a country which professes to be a democracy and religion-neutral,” Justice Hrishikesh Roy said. The court asked Sibal if hate speeches were being made by Muslims too. “Are Muslim making hate speeches too? Both sides are actually,” Justice Joseph said. “Anybody who makes such speeches should not be spared,” Sibal responded

    The bench said, “The Constitution of India envisages Bharat as a secular nation and fraternity assuring the dignity of the individual and unity and the integrity of the country is the guiding principle… There cannot be fraternity unless members of community drawn from different religions or castes of the country are able to live in harmony.”

    Need to preserve constitutional values“We feel that this court is charged with the duty to protect the fundamental rights and also preserve the constitutional values and the secular democratic character of the nation and in particular, the rule of law,” the division bench said in its written order

    NEW DELHI:  Appalled at the proliferation of hate speech, the Supreme Court on Friday directed the police chiefs of Delhi, Uttarakhand and UP to immediately take suo motu action against people irrespective of religion who make them without waiting for a formal complaint. 

    “We make it clear that any hesitation to act in accordance with this direction will be viewed as contempt of this court and appropriate action will be taken against the erring officers. We further make it clear that such action will be taken irrespective of the religion that the maker of the speech or the person who commits such an act belongs to, so that the secular character of Bharat as is envisaged by the Preamble, is preserved and protected,” the bench of justices K M Joseph and Hrishikesh Roy said. 

    They also directed the police chiefs of the three states to file an action-taken report regarding incidents of hate speech within their jurisdiction. “This is the 21st century. What have we reduced God to? Article 51 says we should have a scientific temper. Where have we reached? In the name of religion, it’s tragic,” the bench observed.

    The order came in a petition filed by Shaheen Abdullah who had sought an independent probe into incidents of hate speech and hate crimes against Muslims in these three states. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Abdullah, said that irrespective of the existence of penal provisions and courts asking the police to take preventive action on hate speech, no action had been taken. He said he was forced to approach the court after an October 9 event in Delhi where hate speeches against Muslims were made. 

    “These statements are very disturbing for a country which professes to be a democracy and religion-neutral,” Justice Hrishikesh Roy said. The court asked Sibal if hate speeches were being made by Muslims too. “Are Muslim making hate speeches too? Both sides are actually,” Justice Joseph said. “Anybody who makes such speeches should not be spared,” Sibal responded

    The bench said, “The Constitution of India envisages Bharat as a secular nation and fraternity assuring the dignity of the individual and unity and the integrity of the country is the guiding principle… There cannot be fraternity unless members of community drawn from different religions or castes of the country are able to live in harmony.”

    Need to preserve constitutional values
    “We feel that this court is charged with the duty to protect the fundamental rights and also preserve the constitutional values and the secular democratic character of the nation and in particular, the rule of law,” the division bench said in its written order

  • ‘Where have we reached in the name of religion?’: SC expresses angst over hate speech

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday expressed concern over the rise in incidents of hate speeches in the country and remarked, “This court should come down very heavily. This is the 21st century. Where have we reached in the name of religion? It’s tragic.”

    The court was dealing with a petition filed by Shaheen Abdullah seeking action under penal statutes and the UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act) against those involved in provocative speeches targetting the Muslim community as well as against organisations providing platforms to such speakers. 

    After the murder of a 25-year-old man in Delhi, a rally reportedly organised by the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), turned into an epicenter of hate speech with one of the speakers Jagat Guru Yogeshwar Acharya calling upon the people to behead and cut the hands of those who attack them.

    Another speaker, Mahant Nawal Kishore Das, according to a report, asked people to get guns — with or without licences.

    Justice Hrishikesh Roy said, “The statements (made at the rally on October 9) are very disturbing for a country which professes democracy and is religion-neutral”, as the court sought a report on action taken from the Delhi police. 

    The petition filed by Abdullah had requested for an independent probe into the incidents of hate speech and hate crimes against the Muslim community. 

    ALSO READ: EXPLAINER | Hate speech and how Indian laws deal with it

    “Action seems to be forthcoming against the speakers or the parties that organize 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 Supreme Court bench of Justices KM Joseph and Hrishikesh Roy said that any attempt by the police to not act in such cases will be viewed as contempt of court and lead to action against erring officials.

    The court went on to direct the Delhi, UP and Uttarakhand police to take suo moto action in all instances of hate speech occurring in their jurisdiction without looking at the religion of the offenders.

    The petition had argued that despite the court being cognizant of genocidal speeches and hate crimes against Muslims at several events and despite several orders directing concerned authorities to take appropriate action, the situation in India only seemed to be worsening with the growing radicalisation of the Hindu community and the propagation of widespread hate against Muslims. 

    Pulling up the Central government for its inaction to bring in a law for regulating hate speech, the bench of Justices KM Joseph and Hrishikesh Roy on September 21 had asked the Modi government to indicate within two weeks whether it intends to table any such law.

    The bench went on to wonder why “the government of India standing as mute witness when all of this (hate speech on TV news channels) is happening? Why is the centre treating this like a trivial issue? Political parties will come and go, but the nation will endure.”

    Slamming TV Channels promoting hate speech, the bench had also said that nowadays anchors of news channels take this hate speech forward by allowing people to make such speeches in their show and by muting or avoiding allowing others to counter such views.

    Stressing the need to have regulations, the bench was also of the opinion that strict action should be taken against (such) news anchors and they should be taken off air. 

    READ HERE | It’s the duty of TV anchors in debates to see that hate speech doesn’t occur: Supreme Court

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday expressed concern over the rise in incidents of hate speeches in the country and remarked, “This court should come down very heavily. This is the 21st century. Where have we reached in the name of religion? It’s tragic.”

    The court was dealing with a petition filed by Shaheen Abdullah seeking action under penal statutes and the UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act) against those involved in provocative speeches targetting the Muslim community as well as against organisations providing platforms to such speakers. 

    After the murder of a 25-year-old man in Delhi, a rally reportedly organised by the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), turned into an epicenter of hate speech with one of the speakers Jagat Guru Yogeshwar Acharya calling upon the people to behead and cut the hands of those who attack them.

    Another speaker, Mahant Nawal Kishore Das, according to a report, asked people to get guns — with or without licences.

    Justice Hrishikesh Roy said, “The statements (made at the rally on October 9) are very disturbing for a country which professes democracy and is religion-neutral”, as the court sought a report on action taken from the Delhi police. 

    The petition filed by Abdullah had requested for an independent probe into the incidents of hate speech and hate crimes against the Muslim community. 

    ALSO READ: EXPLAINER | Hate speech and how Indian laws deal with it

    “Action seems to be forthcoming against the speakers or the parties that organize 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 Supreme Court bench of Justices KM Joseph and Hrishikesh Roy said that any attempt by the police to not act in such cases will be viewed as contempt of court and lead to action against erring officials.

    The court went on to direct the Delhi, UP and Uttarakhand police to take suo moto action in all instances of hate speech occurring in their jurisdiction without looking at the religion of the offenders.

    The petition had argued that despite the court being cognizant of genocidal speeches and hate crimes against Muslims at several events and despite several orders directing concerned authorities to take appropriate action, the situation in India only seemed to be worsening with the growing radicalisation of the Hindu community and the propagation of widespread hate against Muslims. 

    Pulling up the Central government for its inaction to bring in a law for regulating hate speech, the bench of Justices KM Joseph and Hrishikesh Roy on September 21 had asked the Modi government to indicate within two weeks whether it intends to table any such law.

    The bench went on to wonder why “the government of India standing as mute witness when all of this (hate speech on TV news channels) is happening? Why is the centre treating this like a trivial issue? Political parties will come and go, but the nation will endure.”

    Slamming TV Channels promoting hate speech, the bench had also said that nowadays anchors of news channels take this hate speech forward by allowing people to make such speeches in their show and by muting or avoiding allowing others to counter such views.

    Stressing the need to have regulations, the bench was also of the opinion that strict action should be taken against (such) news anchors and they should be taken off air. 

    READ HERE | It’s the duty of TV anchors in debates to see that hate speech doesn’t occur: Supreme Court

  • Delhi Police files FIR against organisers for ‘hate speech’ at an event in Dilshad Garden 

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: An FIR has been filed against the organisers of an event in the national capital where some speakers allegedly made hate speeches, Delhi Police said on Monday.

    “An FIR has been registered against the organisers under IPC Sec 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) for not taking permission from police,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Shahadra) R Sathiyasundaram.

    The event was organised by several Hindutva outfits, including the Vishva Hindu Parishad. Its spokesperson Vinod Bansal said he has not received any information about the FIR.

    Delhi BJP MP Parvesh Verma courted controversy on Sunday after he allegedly called for a total boycott of a community at an event held to protest the killing of a Hindu youth in northeast Delhi.

    ALSO READ | At Delhi event, BJP MP calls for ‘total boycott’ of a community 

    Manish (19) was stabbed to death in Sundar Nagri earlier this month.

    Police have arrested all the accused in the case — Aalam, Bilal and Faizan — and have said they killed the youth in an old rivalry.

    In a purported video of the event, Verma could be heard saying, “Wherever you find them, there is only one way to straighten them out — total boycott. Do you agree with me?”

    The Delhi Police had on Sunday said it is obtaining the details of the event held in east Delhi’s Dilshad Garden and added that no permission was taken for organising it.

    NEW DELHI: An FIR has been filed against the organisers of an event in the national capital where some speakers allegedly made hate speeches, Delhi Police said on Monday.

    “An FIR has been registered against the organisers under IPC Sec 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) for not taking permission from police,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Shahadra) R Sathiyasundaram.

    The event was organised by several Hindutva outfits, including the Vishva Hindu Parishad. Its spokesperson Vinod Bansal said he has not received any information about the FIR.

    Delhi BJP MP Parvesh Verma courted controversy on Sunday after he allegedly called for a total boycott of a community at an event held to protest the killing of a Hindu youth in northeast Delhi.

    ALSO READ | At Delhi event, BJP MP calls for ‘total boycott’ of a community 

    Manish (19) was stabbed to death in Sundar Nagri earlier this month.

    Police have arrested all the accused in the case — Aalam, Bilal and Faizan — and have said they killed the youth in an old rivalry.

    In a purported video of the event, Verma could be heard saying, “Wherever you find them, there is only one way to straighten them out — total boycott. Do you agree with me?”

    The Delhi Police had on Sunday said it is obtaining the details of the event held in east Delhi’s Dilshad Garden and added that no permission was taken for organising it.

  • SC set to hear pleas of former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma, Varavara Rao

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday is scheduled to hear various cases including the petition of former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma seeking revival of her plea for clubbing of FIRs lodged over her remarks on Prophet and plea for bail on medical grounds of P Varavara Rao in the Bhima Koregaon-Elgar Parishad case.

    A bench of Justices Surya Kant and JB Pardiwala is likely to hear Sharma’s plea, who has also sought expunction of adverse remarks made against her on July 1 while refusing to entertain her plea for clubbing of the FIRs, saying she has been receiving death threats after the criticism, according to a lawyer associated with the case.

    The top court is also slated to hear Rao’s plea for permanent medical bail.

    He has challenged the Bombay High Court order rejecting his petition for permanent medical.

    A bench comprising Justice U U Lalit, S R Bhat and Sudhanshu Dhulia will take up the plea of the 83-year-old accused.

    The plea challenging the appointment of Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Rakesh Asthana as Delhi Police Commissioner is also listed for hearing before the apex court on Tuesday.

    A bench headed by Justices D Y Chandrachud and A S Bopanna is likely to hear the matter.

    The SC is also scheduled to take up pleas against the Centre’s Agnipath scheme alleging that the government has quashed the century-old selection process for the Armed forces which is contrary to the constitutional provisions and without having parliamentary approval.

    A bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud, Surya Kant and A S Bopanna will hear the plea challenging the new recruitment scheme.

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday is scheduled to hear various cases including the petition of former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma seeking revival of her plea for clubbing of FIRs lodged over her remarks on Prophet and plea for bail on medical grounds of P Varavara Rao in the Bhima Koregaon-Elgar Parishad case.

    A bench of Justices Surya Kant and JB Pardiwala is likely to hear Sharma’s plea, who has also sought expunction of adverse remarks made against her on July 1 while refusing to entertain her plea for clubbing of the FIRs, saying she has been receiving death threats after the criticism, according to a lawyer associated with the case.

    The top court is also slated to hear Rao’s plea for permanent medical bail.

    He has challenged the Bombay High Court order rejecting his petition for permanent medical.

    A bench comprising Justice U U Lalit, S R Bhat and Sudhanshu Dhulia will take up the plea of the 83-year-old accused.

    The plea challenging the appointment of Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Rakesh Asthana as Delhi Police Commissioner is also listed for hearing before the apex court on Tuesday.

    A bench headed by Justices D Y Chandrachud and A S Bopanna is likely to hear the matter.

    The SC is also scheduled to take up pleas against the Centre’s Agnipath scheme alleging that the government has quashed the century-old selection process for the Armed forces which is contrary to the constitutional provisions and without having parliamentary approval.

    A bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud, Surya Kant and A S Bopanna will hear the plea challenging the new recruitment scheme.