Kerala High Court flags concern over cyberbullying after plea filed flagging online attacks on LGBTQIA+ persons

The Kerala High Court recently urged the State authorities to ensure that people are protected from cyberbullying after concerns were raised about such online attacks on members of the LGBTQ+ community..Justice Devan Ramachandran emphasized that there is a need for fairness and justice in the digital world. ."Every citizen has a right to live, which is equal and less to no other. These rights are constitutionally provided and protected and cannot be attenuated or suppressed by any person who may have propagandist ideas or deleterious philosophies to follow," the Court said. .The High Court was considering a plea filed by two members of the LGBTQIA+ community and a non-profit organisation (petitioners). The petitioners were aggrieved by the allegedly derogatory remarks and cyber lynching carried out against the LGBTQIA+ community by a registered society called the Youth Enrichment Society.In response, the Court raised concerns about how easily reputations could be damaged online and emphasised that the concerned authorities must take necessary action to curb such attacks. “Cyber space is no longer a myth, it is a reality. It is one where the reputations of persons are easily attacked and deracinated and the perpetrators believe that they can do so being without any accountability. This has to necessarily change because, in a civilized world, the Authorities are to acknowledge the issues involved and to take necessary repertory action. After all, otherwise, it is possible that certain sections would certainly be subjected to great prejudice,” the Court's order stated. .The petitioners before the Court had highlighted that the Youth Enrichment Society was spreading hate speech, fake news, and making inhuman and derogatory statements against the LGBTQIA+ community through social media. The petitioners further stated that the society was running running campaigns with unscientific and derogatory content against the transgender community and sexual minorities on their social media platforms.All of this was misleading the public, diminishing the dignity of the LGBTQIA+ community and instigating violence against LGBTQIA+ persons, the petitioners submitted. Despite filing a complaint with relevant authorities, no action was taken, the petitioners added. Therefore, it moved a plea before the High Court for relief. .When the matter was taken up on November 30, the Court instructed the Government Pleader to get information on whether any action was taken on the complaints filed earlier by the petitioners. The Court also asked the State Police Chief to file an action taken report by the next date of hearing in three weeks. .The petitioners were represented by advocates Legith T Kottakkal and PR Banerji..[Read Order]