‘Dharam Sansad’ Hate Speech: Supreme Court Agrees To Hear Plea Seeking Independent Probe

‘Dharam Sansad’ Hate Speech: The petition mentioned that the alleged hate speeches involved open calls for genocide of Muslims in order to achieve ethnic cleansing. 

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear a plea seeking an independent inquiry into speeches made during ‘Dharam Sansad’ conclave held in Haridwar where speakers allegedly made statements inciting violence against the minority community. 

According to news agency ANI, senior advocate Kapil Sibal appeared for the petitioner and mentioned the matter for urgent hearing before a Bench of Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Justices Surya Kant, and Hima Kohli. 

The SC Bench assured Kapil Sibal that the plea filed by former High Court judge and senior advocate Anjana Prakash, and journalist Qurban Ali will be heard without delay. 

The petition seeks the arrest and trial of people who made alleged hate speeches, inciting violence towards Muslims, at the Haridwar ‘Dharam Sansad’ conclave. 

During the mentioning, advocate Kapil Sibal said that the slogan of the country seems to be changed from ‘Satyameva Jayate’ to ‘Shasatrameva Jayate’. 

“We are living in very dangerous times where slogans in the country have changed from Satyamev Jayate to Shashtramev Jayate,” he told the apex court, as quoted by ANI. 

When the CJI asked him whether any inquiry into the case was already on, Kapil Sibal stated that the FIRs were filed but no arrests have been made. 

“This is in the State of Uttarakhand. No action will be taken without the intervention of the Court,” the senior advocate added. 

To this, CJI NV Ramana said, “Alright, we will take up the matter.” 

Petition Over ‘Dharam Sansad’ Speeches

The ‘Dharam Sansad’ hate speeches were allegedly delivered between December 17 and 19, 2021, in Haridwar by Yati Narsinghanand and in Delhi by ‘Hindu Yuva Vahini’. 

The petition mentioned that the alleged hate speeches involved open calls for genocide of Muslims in order to achieve ethnic cleansing. 

“It is pertinent to note that the said speeches are not mere hate speeches but amount to an open call for the murder of an entire community. The said speeches thus, pose a grave threat not just to the unity and integrity of our country but also endanger the lives of millions of Muslim citizens,” the plea read, as quoted by ANI. 

It was further stressed that no action has been taken by the Uttarakhand and Delhi Police in relation to the event held there despite the fact that open calls for genocide, that are available on the internet, were made therein. 

The plea also highlighted a video that had gone viral where a police officer was seen acknowledging his allegiance to the offenders. “Not only the inaction of the Police allows delivery of hate speeches with impunity but also shows that the Police authorities are in fact hand in glove with the perpetrators of communal hate,” the petition added. 

(With Agency Inputs)