Taking serious exception of hate speeches, the Supreme Court on Wednesday said that the moment politics is separated from religion and politicians stop using religion in politics, such speeches will go away, reported news agency PTI.
The apex court termed hate speeches a "vicious circle" and said it is being made only by fringe elements and urged people to restrain themselves
A bench of justices KM Joseph and BV Nagarathna while making the observation also referred to speeches of former prime ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Atal Bihari Vajpayee and said that people from remote areas and nook and corner used to gather to hear such leaders.
"Major problem arises when politicians are mixing politics with religion. The moment politics and religion are segregated, this will end. When politicians stop using religion, all this will stop. We have said in our recent verdict also that mixing politics with religion is dangerous for democracy," said Justice Joseph, as reported by PTI.
The court further urged the people of India take a pledge to not vilify other citizens or communities.
"Everyday fringe elements are making speeches to vilify others including on TV and public forums," the bench said while hearing a contempt petition against various state authorities.
A sharp exchange ensued between the court and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta when Mehta pointed out a derogatory speech made in Kerala by a man against a particular community and questioned that petitioner Shaheen Abdullah has selectively pointed out the incidents of hate speeches in the country.
Pointing out a statement made by a DMK party leader Mehta questioned why has the petitioner's counsel not made him and those states party in the contempt petition.
Reacting to those speeches the court said "every action has equal reaction" and emphasised, "We are following the Constitution and orders in every case are bricks in the structure of rule of law. We are hearing the contempt petition because states are not taking action in time. This is because the state has become impotent, powerless and does not act in time. Why should we have a state at all if it is silent?"
"How many contempt after contempt we can take against these people. That's why I asked the other day, how the apex court will deal with this. Why do you (petitioner) start with the apex court? Should not there be some restraint on speeches else we will not become the India we desire for. Why cannot the citizens of this country take a pledge to not vilify others and what kind of pleasures we are deriving by making these speeches," Justice Nagarathna further said, according to PTI.