Hate Speech: Plea in Supreme Court seeks to halt proposed Hindu Janakrosh Morcha in Mumbai

An application has been filed before the Supreme Court raising concern over the continuance of hate speech rallies, particularly a Hindu Janakrosh Morcha proposed to be conducted in Mumbai later this month which the petitioner claims is likely to feature hate speech. .The matter was mentioned before a bench comprising of Justices KM Joseph, Aniruddha Bose and Hrishikesh Roy this morning seeking urgent hearing..The bench orally observed the Supreme Court cannot be moved every time a rally is notified, particularly when an order had already passed cautioning against hate speech. "We are with you on this, but understand that the Supreme Court cannot be triggered every time there is a rally notified. We have already passed a strong order," Justice Roy said. "Yes, (we had passed order) saying that they must take suo motu action and not wait for a complaint", Justice Joseph pointed out. .Hate Speech: TV channels driven by agenda, creating divisions in society: Supreme Court .Upon the applicant's counsel continuing to raise concern, however, the Court agreed to hear the application tomorrow, subject to what the Chief Justice may direct. "Serve a copy on the State. We will list it tomorrow, subject to orders of the CJI. Only this case, not the entire batch," the bench said. .The application filed by one, Shaheen Abdulla, contended that several events and rallies have taken place across Maharashtra calling for an economic and social boycott of the Muslim community, and levelling allegations of "land jihad" and "love jihad" to criminalise the entire community. .Such mass rallies, which also feature children participating, are being organised with the consent and knowledge of the government, the applicant has alleged. One such rally was organised by the "Sakal Hindu Samaj", an umbrella body of Hindu right-wing organisations, under the banner "Hindu Janakrosh Sabha", the applicant further submitted. In one such Hindu Janakrosh Morcha organised in Mumbai on January 29, 2023, over 10,000 people attended, the applicant submitted. The same rally also featured open calls to kill Muslims by a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of the Legislative Assembly, T Raja Singh, the application noted."... the aforementioned Sakal Hindu Samaj will be organizing yet another rally, of a similar nature, on 05.02.2023 in Mumbai. At least 15,000 people are expected to participate in the said rally. The very nature of all the previous rallies clearly indicate the kind of hate speeches that will in all likelihood be delivered at the same", the applicant further highlighted. .The applicant has, therefore, asked the Supreme Court to intervene and pass directions to halt such rallies intended to incite communal disharmony. .Advocate Nizam Pasha appeared for the applicant today. The application was filed through advocate Sumita Hazarika