Taking a serious note of hate speeches, the Supreme Court said that the time politics and religion are separated and politicians stop using religion in politics, such speeches will stop.
The Supreme Court said that hate speeches are being given by anti-social elements and people should restrain themselves.
Referring to the speeches of former Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a bench of Justice KM Joseph and Justice Nagaratna said that people used to gather from far-flung areas and corners to listen to them.
Noting that courts can initiate contempt proceedings against any number of people, the bench asked why the people of India cannot take a pledge not to disparage other citizens or communities.
The bench, while hearing a contempt plea against different state departments for failing to register complaints against those making hate speeches, said, “Every day fringe elements humiliate others even on TV and in public forums. Giving speeches for show.”
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, referring to the objectionable speech given by someone in Kerala, said that the applicant Shaheen Abdullah has mentioned only a few selected cases of hate speech.
The top court had said abjuring hate speech is a fundamental requisite for maintenance of communal harmony in the country, and asked the Centre what actions have been taken after the lodging of FIRs in hate speech cases.
Observing that merely registering complaints is not going to solve the problem of hate speeches, it reminded the Centre on the need to take action against persons making such statements.
