The Supreme Court on Friday (August 11) underscored the necessity of harmony and cooperation between communities, and suggested the formation of a committee led by the Director General of Police (DGP) of Haryana to investigate cases arising from recent communal riots in the state. The call came as the court addressed a plea regarding alleged "blatant hate speeches" inciting violence and boycotts of specific communities during rallies across different states, including Haryana.
A bench consisting of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti engaged in discussions with Additional Solicitor General K M Nataraj, representing the Centre, during today's proceedings. The court directed Nataraj to provide details about the proposed committee by August 18, highlighting the urgency of addressing hate speech and ensuring the harmony of diverse communities.
"We cannot tolerate hate speech. Harmony and comity among communities are essential. Hate speech is not acceptable," the bench remarked, as quoted by news agency PTI. "We can request the DGP to establish a committee consisting of three or four officers nominated by him. This committee will review all materials submitted by station house officers and assess their authenticity. It will issue appropriate directions to the relevant police officers. Sensitization is needed at the SHO and police levels," it said.
According to the PTI report, the apex court charged the case's petitioner, journalist Shaheen Abdullah, with compiling evidence, including videos, and submitting it to designated nodal officers in each state in accordance with the court's October 21, 2022 decision.
Nataraj, representing the Union of India, acknowledged the need to counter hate speeches and admitted that the existing mechanisms to address them were ineffective in certain areas, the report said.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, speaking on Abdullah's behalf, emphasised the importance of preventing hate speech, saying, "This kind of vitriol cannot go on," according to the report.
Sibal expressed scepticism about the committee proposal's effectiveness, particularly in cases involving explicit threats against specific communities, it said. He emphasised the difficulty of ensuring enforcement and accountability, emphasising the need for concrete actions that go beyond simply registering FIRs.
The court scheduled the next hearing for August 18, as the ongoing legal battle addresses the aftermath of communal clashes in Haryana's Nuh district, where six lives were lost.
Abdullah's application cited the Supreme Court's August 2 order, which urged authorities to exercise restraint and prevent hate speeches and violence that undermine communal harmony, the report said. Despite this directive, over 27 rallies took place across various states in the aftermath of the Haryana clashes, featuring explicit hate speech and boycott calls, it added.
The application provided video evidence of rallies held between August 1, 2023, and August 7, revealing instances of hate speech. The petitioner urged authorities to take action, urging the Commissioner of Police in Delhi and the Director General of Police in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana to prevent such rallies and effectively address the issue.
Internet Services Temporarily Suspended In Nuh District Until August 13: Haryana Govt
The Government of Haryana has announced a temporary suspension of mobile internet services in Nuh district, effective until August 13.
The communal clashes, originating from an attack on a Vishva Hindu Parishad procession, led to six fatalities and widespread unrest in Nuh, subsequently spreading to Gurugram and nearby areas near the national capital.