Supreme Court has asked Jamat-Ulama-i-Hind to implead Press Council of India as a party in a plea seeking prevention of communalization of Tablighi Jamaat issue.
A bench of the Supreme Court comprising of the Chief Justice SA Bobde, Justice L Nageswara Rao and Justice M Shantanagoudar was hearing the plea filed by Jamat-Ulama-i-Hind through Advocate Ejaz Maqbool states that certain sections of the media have reported the Nizamuddin incident with a communal favour and have used phrases such as “Corona Jihad, Corona Terrorism, Islamic Insurrection, Corona bombs etc” thus making it apparent that the unfortunate incident of the Tablighi Jamaat was being used to demonize and blame the entire Muslim community.
The petitioner submitted that such reporting has triggered communal antagonism and religious hatred thus disturbing communal harmony in the country.
The petitioner has further submitted that the State had failed to check communalization of content by media and by not taking action against such unsocial elements the state had failed in its duty to give equal protection of law to all persons in India under Article 14 of the Constitution.
The petitioners have also urged the Court to direct that strict actions be taken against errant sections of the media and that there is responsible reporting by all sections of the media in light of the order of the Supreme Court amid such a crisis situation.
The bench today adjourned the hearing saying that it cannot pass orders against the press and media at present.
-India Legal Bureau