Party accuses Education min of ‘hate speech’ during LS election campaign
SHILLONG, June 18: The Voice of the People Party (VPP) on Tuesday filed an FIR against Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma for allegedly making communally-laced speeches during the Lok Sabha election campaign to promote hatred and ill-will among the various communities in Meghalaya.
The FIR, lodged by VPP finance secretary Danny Langstieh, was submitted to East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police, Sylvester Nongtnger.
Giving the background of the incident in the FIR, Langstieh stated that the minister concerned in an election campaign/rally/meeting made statements that were a direct imputation against the VPP and allegation were made that the said party will destroy, kill, oppress and annihilate other communities which is totally false, concocted and outright incorrect.
In the FIR, Langstieh stated that delivering such reckless, communal and hate spewed speech is not only wrong and illegal but also dangerous as it contributes to an atmosphere of causing communal disharmony and the likelihood of communal tension, riots and violence.
He referred to the Supreme Court ruling in the case of Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay Versus Union of India & Others and reminded that the Court had even held that immediately as and when any speech or any action takes place which attracts offences such as sections 153A, 153B and 295A and 505 of the IPC etc, suo-motu action will be taken to register cases even if no complaint is forthcoming and proceed against the offenders in accordance with law.
Stating that since no suo-motu action was initiated from the end of the police, he stated, “I as a concerned citizen and a member of the VPP strongly urge you to take necessary action against the said minister forthwith.”
He also reminded that in the same case, the Supreme Court opined that any hesitation to act in accordance with this direction will be viewed as contempt of court and appropriate action will be taken against the erring officers.
According to Langstieh it was very much evident that the speech made by the minister are incendiary and made to promote, foster, incite, foment and instigate enmity, hatred and ill-will between the different regional groups and communities within Meghalaya which is outright prejudice to the maintenance of harmony between different groups and is likely to disturb the public tranquillity.
Urging the SP to take stringent action, he stated, “If these hate-driven speeches are left unchecked, the peace and harmony of our state will be affected directly and that a case be registered, the matter be investigated into, and necessary action be taken forthwith and that the offender be punished in accordance with law as per sections 153A, 153B and 505 of the IPC and any other relevant sections of law.”