From Our Bureau
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday called for action against persons giving hate speeches, irrespective of religion, and asked the police chiefs of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand to state what action has been taken in such cases so far.
Hearing a plea against hate speeches, a Bench of Justices K M Joseph and Hrishikesh Roy wanted an immediate action against persons giving hate speeches. “What have we reduced God to in the 21st Century,” it asked, noting that India’s constitution rather talks of a scientific view.
It noted that India is a secular country, religion neutral and people have freedom of expression and the kind of hate speeches should not be tolerated that are creating an atmosphere of hate in India, requiring an immediate action irrespective of they belonging to any religion.
The top court was hearing a petition by Shaheen Abdulla of Kozikode, Kerala, seeking an urgent action by the Centre and the States to initiate an independent, credible and impartial probe into the incidents of hate crimes and hate speeches and invoking the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and other stringent provisions.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Abdulla, cited a statement by BJP MP Pravesh Verma not to buy from the Muslims’ shops and not to give them jobs. He cited many other such speeches and asked what can be done as silence is no answer. Better if the Court appoints a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to curb repeatation of the hate speeches.
