The Supreme Court on Friday said it is “tragic what we have reduced religion to” in the 21st century and a “climate of hate prevails in the country”, while directing the police and authorities to immediately and suo motu register cases against hate speech makers without waiting for a complaint to be filed.
A Bench of Justices K.M. Joseph and Hrishikesh Roy ordered that any “hesitation” to comply with the direction would attract the proceedings for contempt of the Supreme Court against the erring officers.
The court directed that first information reports (FIRs) should be registered and criminal proceedings initiated against the makers of hate speech “irrespective of their religion so that the secular character of the country is preserved”.
The interim directions were primarily for the benefit of the police of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The court issued notices to the three States and asked their police chiefs to submit reports on action taken on hate speech cases.
“We are deeply, deeply obliged,” senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for petitioner Shaheen Abdulla, reacted to the order.
“We are doing far too little,” Justice Joseph replied.
“At least somebody has listened,” Mr. Sibal said.
Loud and clear
“We have to… it is our duty. If we don’t, it is plain abdication of duty, nothing else to that… Otherwise, what will happen after sometime,” Justice Joseph told Mr. Sibal.
The Bench heard the case beyond court hours and ensured that the order was ready and read out loudly in open court.
The petitioner, also represented by advocate Nizam Pasha, had highlighted the rising incidents of hate speeches targeting the Muslim community.
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