The Supreme Court on Friday asked petitioners, seeking action against calls for social and economic boycott of Muslims following the communal clashes that occurred in Haryana's Nuh, to forward the videos containing hate speech to the nodal officers appointed by the state governments pursuant to its judgment.
During the hearing, a bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and S.V.N Bhatti mooted for formation of a district-level committee by the Director General of Police (DGP) to look into the hate speeches cases.
The proposed committee will examine the hate speech complaints, both with regard to the content as well as its authenticity, forwarded to it by SHOs of police stations, the court said.
It added that the committee will issue directions to concerned police officers to take action.
"There has to be harmony and comity between communities. Everyone is responsible. All communities are responsible. This is not acceptable," the bench said.
The top court stressed that the issue of hate speech "has to be solved" and asked Additional Solicitor General K M Nataraj, appearing for the Centre, to seek instructions by August 18.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the petitioners, argued that mere registration of FIRs will not help unless the offenders are prosecuted or arrested.
The plea filed before the apex court said that more than 27 rallies have been organised across various states where blatant hate speeches calling for the "killing and social & economic boycott of Muslims" have been openly delivered.
Recently, the Supreme Court ordered police authorities of Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to ensure that no hate speech is given against any community or violence or damage to property takes place during the protest rallies being planned by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) in the national capital region.
In April this year, the top court had stressed that the Constitution envisages India as a secular nation, while directing all states and Union Territories to take strict action on hate speech cases, and registering criminal cases irrespective of religion against culprits without waiting for a complaint to be filed.
Communal clashes broke out in Haryana's Nuh in Mewat after a religious procession heading to a place of worship was allegedly attacked on July 31. The violence spread to Gurugram and some districts of Haryana adjoining Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.
Congress wants to snatch reservation from backward classes and give it to Muslims: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday alleged that the Congress wants to bring a legislation to snatch reservations for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Backward Classes (BCs) and give them to Muslims.
Embarrassed Congress distances itself from Sam Pitroda's remarks, calls it 'unacceptable'
Hours after Congress leader Sam Pitroda's remark on the 'colour of citizens' stirred a major controversy and left the party red-faced, the latter got into a damage control mode and issued a clarification.
Furious over Pitroda's 'racist' comment, PM Modi says it is now clear why Cong opposed Prez Murmu's candidature
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday slammed the Congress party and its senior leader Sam Pitroda over the latter's alleged racist remarks, warning that he would not tolerate "such insult on the basis of skin colour" and that any such further comments could harm the unity of the nation.
Environment body writes West DM, demands to maintain depth of the Amrit Sarovar
The Forum for Protection of Environment and Water Bodies of Tripura has written a letter to the West District Magistrate demanding immediate actions to maintain the depth of the Amrit Sarovar near Shalbagan according to the objective enshrined in the guidelines of Amrit Sarovar.
Family files complaint against Muhuri for theft and land document withholding
In a startling development in Mohanpur, a family from Bamutia has filed a formal complaint against Muhuri Babul Chandra Biswas, accusing him of embezzling Rs 4 lakh under the guise of a legal transaction.
Villagers’ stages protest over drilling of ONGC, FIR against four
The Mandabakilla village situated under Bishalgarh sub-division of Tripura’s Sepahijala District is engulfed in tension as clashes intensify between villagers and officials of the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC).
JRBT candidates stages stir demanding results of Group-D Exam
As the days tick by without any update on the results of the Joint Recruitment Board of Tripura (JRBT) Group-D exam, candidates are growing increasingly restless.
SC stays Calcutta HC’s order cancelling school jobs; rebukes Bengal govt for alleged recruitment scam
The Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed a Calcutta High Court order, which cancelled 25,753 appointments in teaching and non-teaching posts in the state-run schools made by the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) in 2016.