The Supreme Court on Friday issued a directive to the Central Government to establish a committee dedicated to examining cases of hate speech.
The apex court addressed a plea concerning alleged “overtly hateful speeches” calling for killing members of a particular community and their social and economic boycott at rallies in different states, including Haryana where recent communal clashes claimed 6 lives.
The bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti, instructed Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj, the representative of the Centre, to obtain necessary guidance and apprise the court about the committee’s composition by August 18.
The bench observed, “There has to be harmony and comity between the communities. All the communities are responsible. The problem of hate speech is not good and nobody can accept it.”
Further, the Supreme Court mandated the petitioner to compile all pertinent materials, encompassing videos, and subsequently submit them to the designated nodal officers in compliance with the court’s verdict from October 21, 2022.
The application, filed by journalist Shaheen Abdullah, has referred to the August 2 order of the apex court that stated, “We hope and trust that the state governments and police will ensure that no hate speeches irrespective of the identity are made against any community and there is no physical violence or damage to the properties.”
Observing that hate speeches vitiating the social environment, the apex court affirmed its commitment to deploy adequate police or paramilitary personnel whenever necessary.
Additionally, authorities, including the police, were directed to utilize the installed CCTV cameras or conduct video recording in sensitive regions.
