New Delhi, Aug 8: A plea has been filed in the Supreme Court over alleged “blatant hate speeches” calling for killing Muslims and their social and economic boycott delivered at rallies in different states, including Haryana where recent communal clashes claimed six lives. The petition was mentioned on Tuesday before a bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal mentioned the plea before the CJI, who was heading a five-judge constitution bench which is hearing arguments on the petitions challenging abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution that accorded special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.
As the constitution bench was about to rise for the lunch break, Sibal, who was arguing in the Article 370 matter, said a “very serious thing” has happened in Gurugram.
“There is a very serious thing that has happened in Gurugram where there is a call….that if you employ these people (Muslims) in shops, you will all be ‘gaddars’ (traitors),” he said. Sibal said a petition has been filed in the apex court over it.
The application, filed by journalist Shaheen Abdullah, has referred to the August 2 order of the apex court which said, “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 vitiate the atmosphere, the top court had said that wherever required, adequate police force or para-military force would be deployed and the authorities, including the police, will use the CCTV cameras installed or record/make video recording in all sensitive areas.The application said despite the apex court’s order, over 27 rallies were organised in various states where hate speeches were made.
“Despite the aforementioned order, more than 27 rallies have been organised across various states where blatant hate speeches calling for the killing and social and economic boycott of Muslims have been openly delivered,” it said.
The application contains a table showing some of the rallies that have taken place between August 1, 2023 and August 7 with relevant video links. (PTI)
