Plea against Hindu Jan Akrosh Morcha event in Mumbai: why SC didn't want to hear alleged hate speech case

The Supreme Court on 2 February 2023 said that it should not be asked to stop every alleged hate speech event taking place in the country.

A 3-judge bench made the comments when a lawyer mentioned a petition seeking prohibition of an event being organised by Hindu Jan Akrosh Morcha in Mumbai on 5 February. She submitted that a similar rally was organised a few days ago in which 10,000 people participated and gave a call to boycott Muslim communities economically and socially.

The Supreme Court said that it has already passed a "clear" order on alleged hate speech events, and the court cannot be approached every time a rally is taking place.

The court said, "You ask us to be embarrassed again and again by getting an order. We have passed so many orders yet nobody is taking action. The Supreme Court should not be asked to pass an order on an event-to-event basis."

The judges agreed to hear the petition on 3 February, subject to orders of the Chief Justice of India.

Holding that the Constitution of India envisages a secular nation, the top court on October 21 last year directed the Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand governments to come down hard on hate speeches, promptly registering criminal cases against the culprits without waiting for a complaint to be filed.

The court had also warned that any delay on the part of the administration in taking action on this "very serious issue" would invite the court's contempt.

(With PTI inputs)

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