West Bengal Polls: SC Dismisses Plea Against Use Of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ Slogans During Electioneering

The petitioner sought direction to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to register an FIR into the alleged chanting of religious slogans during electioneering in poll-bound West Bengal.

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The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a plea, which sought to bar the usage of the slogan of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ during West Bengal Assembly elections campaigning.

This came as advocate M L Sharma, the petitioner in the case, sought a direction to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to register an FIR into the alleged chanting of religious slogans during electioneering in poll-bound West Bengal.

The petitioner in his plea said the chanting of Jai Shri Ram or any other religious slogan creates communal disharmony. He added that such an act is an offence under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

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“Whether using a provocative religious slogan 'Jai Shri Ram' is for electoral benefits as well as others is not violated S.123(3) & 125 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951,” read the plea as per news agency PTI.

The apex court bench headed by Chief Justice of India S A Bobde and also comprising Justices A.S. Bopanna and V. Ramasubramanian initially told the petitioner to approach the Calcutta High Court in this regard.

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“You are asking for prosecution. How can we pass such an order? The only power lied with the high court, that to the election petition,” the apex court said.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court also dismissed a plea challenging the Election Commission’s decision to conduct the West Bengal Assembly elections in eight phases. 

Voting for the 294-member West Bengal Assembly will be held in eight phases beginning March 27 and ending on April 29. The results will be declared on May 2.