'Contempt will be initiated if the authorities fail to act': Supreme Court tells Centre on hate speeches
New Delhi/IBNS: Two days after United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres criticised India over its human rights record and the increasing hate speeches during a three-day visit, the Supreme Court Friday made some strong observations on the subject.
"This is the 21st century. Where have we reached in the name of religion?" the apex court said while hearing a petition on hate speeches.
It directed authorities to act against such instances by themselves or face contempt charges.
"Contempt will be initiated if the authorities fail to act," the court said.
The state of affairs in India was "shocking for a country that is supposed to be religion-neutral", the top court observed.
"The Constitution of India envisages a secular nation and fraternity among citizens assuring the dignity of the individual...The unity and integrity of the nation is one of the guiding principles enshrined in the preamble," the judges said.
"The petitioner points out [that] despite various penal provisions, no action has been taken and there is a need to serve constitutional principles. We feel this court is charged with a duty to protect the fundamental rights and also protect and serve the constitution where the rule of law is maintained," they added.
On Thursday, the Supreme Court sought responses from the centre and the states to a petition requesting an urgent intervention to stop the "growing menace of targeting and terrorising (of) the Muslim Community in India".
Petitioner Shaheen Abdullah had asked the apex court to direct the Centre and states to initiate credible probes into the incidents of hate crimes and hate speeches across the country.
Top Headlines
-
News
India, China have completed disengagement: Reports
October 31, 2024
-
News
Uzbekistan parties supporting President Mirziyoyev win parliamentary elections as country undergoes reforms
October 29, 2024
-
News
Sanction Indian diplomats, ban RSS: anti-India Canadian leader Jagmeet Singh goes ballistic
October 16, 2024
-
News
Hezbollah drone attack on military base kills four Israeli soldiers
October 14, 2024
-
News
Trudeau govt's vote bank politics: India toughens stand against Canada after latest tirade over Nijjar killing
October 14, 2024
-
News
Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which claimed responsibility for Baba Siddique's murder, sends Salman Khan a message
October 14, 2024
-
News
RG Kar: Bengal junior doctors to hold protest march to Raj Bhavan on 10th day of hunger strike today
October 14, 2024
-
News
Tamil Nadu derailment: 19 injured in Darbhanga Bagmati Express collision with goods train, 13 coaches jump track
October 12, 2024
-
News
Distasteful and disgraceful: Amit Shah on Mallikarjun Kharge's 'won't die till Modi is removed from power' remark
September 30, 2024
-
News
Keep Gods away from politics: Supreme Court slams Andhra govt over Tirupati laddoo row
September 30, 2024