New Delhi: The Supreme Court directed all the states and Union Territories to ensure that as and when any hate speech is made, they shall take suo moto action for registration of FIR even without any complaints. The Supreme Court makes it clear that such action shall be taken irrespective of the religion of the persons who made the speech so that the secular character of Bharat as envisaged by the Preamble is preserved, news agency ANI reported.
The apex court warned delay in registering hate speech cases will be treated as contempt of court and termed hate speech a serious offence, capable of affecting secular fabric of country.
The top court was hearing a bunch of petitions on hate speech crimes when it passed the order. The bench had earlier sought a response from the state of Maharashtra on a contempt petition filed alleging failure to take action against hate speeches.
The order passed by the top court in October 2022 for suo motu registration of FIR in hate speech cases was passed against Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Uttarakhand governments.
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Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court quashed the summons issued to Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray by a court in Bokaro in an alleged hate speech case, and stated that faith and religion are more resilient and cannot be hurt or provoked by the views of an individual.
While hearing the case, Justice Jasmeet Singh said the unity of India lies in "coexistence" of its various religions, faiths and languages, and that religion and faith, which have and will survive for centuries, are not as fragile as human beings.
By a separate order, the judge also quashed the summons issued by a Dhanbad court to Raj Thackeray for alleged commission of offences of murder, rioting and hate speech under Indian Penal Code.