The Supreme Court today ordered the administration in Chhattisgarh’s Raipur and Maharashtra’s Yavatmal districts to take appropriate steps to prevent any incitement of violence or hate speech at rallies to be conducted by BJP leader T Raja Singh.
A Bench of Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Dipankar Datta accepted that some of the speeches delivered previously by the BJP leader were certainly objectionable but observed that no pre-emptive action can be taken for his future speeches. The apex court noted that the leader has not been made a party to the case before it.
Appearing for the petitioner, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal replied to the bench that BJP leader Singh can be made a party to the case but the Court cannot allow these things to continue to happen. Senior Advocate Kabil Sibal further added that several FIRs are lodged and still hate speech continues. He underlined that only guidelines will not help unless some steps are directed.
The Supreme Court remarked that the government has to take steps. It added that no incitement to violence or hate speech can be permitted. The apex court further directed the nodal officers to take appropriate actions. It added that the DMs and SPs of Raipur and Yavatmal have to take notice of the allegations and thereby take appropriate steps as advised and required.
Furthermore, the Supreme Court urged the police to install CCTV cameras in order to ensure that perpetrators can be apprehended. The apex court was hearing a batch of petitions concerning seeking steps to be taken to control hate speech incidents. The matter was adjourned till February 5.
In an earlier hearing, the Supreme Court had also frowned upon the functioning of the National Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA) and observed that the television channels in India are creating divisions in the society since they are driven by agendas and compete to sensationalise news.