Haryana violence: Delhi High Court Women Lawyers Forum writes to CJI DY Chandrachud for action against hate speeches

The Delhi High Court Women Lawyers Forum (WLF) on Thursday submitted a letter petition before Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud seeking the intervention of the top court in the recent instances of hate speeches in various places across Haryana including Nuh. .The WLF said in its letter that videos have surfaced on social media containing hate speech and incitement of targeted violence and therefore, directives should be issued to the State to prevent such incidents.Besides, the State should be ordered to track and ban videos that threaten harm to any community/ places of worship or urge economic boycott of any community, it has been urged.These speeches are alleged to advocate economic boycotts and other forms of abuse against specific communities, the letter plea stated.The letter signed by 101 women lawyers practicing in Delhi and Gurgaon also sought immediate action against persons found responsible for committing acts of hate speech.."We humbly seek urgent and expeditious directions to the State of Haryana to prevent incidents of hate speech and to take action against those who have perpetrated it, in violation of directions repeatedly issued by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India and to immediately track and ban these videos that amplify hate speech and create an atmosphere of fear," the letter plea urged.Pertinently, the letter petition also flagged concern that persons were seen chanting communal slogans and openly flaunting weapons. "The concern is magnified by the fact that the videos circulating on social media show individuals carrying arms in processions and chanting communal slogans in contravention of the Constitution, the Arms Act and the law laid down by Supreme Court through its rulings. Yet, there doesn’t seem to be any verification of these videos, and action against persons indulging in such acts. This is a dangerous threat to social harmony and the rule of law in India. If allowed unchecked, it might be impossible to control this growing trend of hate and violence," it was submitted.The letter plea highlighted how the Punjab and Haryana High Court took suo motu cognizance of demolitions carried out by State authorities pursuant to the Nuh violence."The swift and sensitive approach of the Court has gone a long way in building confidence of citizens in the rule of law," the letter stated.In the case of Tehseen S Poonawalla v Union of India and Others, the Supreme Court had held that it is the responsibility of governments to curb mob vigilantism and mob violence through stringent measures, the plea said."The Supreme Court has concluded the above judgment by emphatically noting that it is the duty of the State to ensure that the machinery of law and order functions effectively and efficiently to maintain peace, and to preserve our quintessentially secular ethos and pluralistic social fabric in a democratic setup, governed by the rule of law," the WLF stated in the letter..The forum, therefore, urged that the following directions be issued to the State government: (a) to promote an environment of dignity and liberty for citizens of all religions in the State of Haryana and fraternity between communities by announcing programmes that highlight inclusion and awards for acts of communal harmony; (b) to take steps in accordance with the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court to prevent incidents of hate speech; (c) to track and ban videos that threaten harm to any community/ places of worship or urge economic boycott of any community; (d) to take immediate action against persons found responsible for committing acts of hate speech..Earlier, the Supreme Court had opined that the calls to boycott the Muslim community after the recent outbreak of violence at Nuh, Haryana was unacceptable.The Court made the observations while considering a plea for action against calls made to boycott and alienate Muslims following the recent outbreak of communal violence in Nuh district, Haryana..[Read Letter]