Hate Speech: Supreme Court directs that its order to police for suo motu action irrespective of religion is applicable to all States, UTs

The Supreme Court on Friday extended the scope of a previous order directing police to take suo motu action in cases of hate speech without looking at the religion of the offenders to all states and union territories across the country [Shaheen Abdullah v. Union of India]..A Bench of Justices KM Joseph and BV Nagarathna expanded the scope of an interim order which was earlier only limited to the Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand Police. During the hearing, the Bench also emphasised on its sole allegiance to the Constitution of India. "Both us are totally apolitical. We don’t care if it is party A, B or C. We only care about the Constitution and the laws of the country," the Bench remarked. .The October 2022 order also said that non-compliance of any directions would invite contempt proceedings. This has resulted in contempt petitions being filed before the court.With regard to these, the Court was informed that counter affidavits have been filed. The case will now be heard on May 12..The order was passed in a batch of pleas seeking steps to be taken against hate speech incidents.In July last year, the top court had directed the Union Home Ministry to prepare a detailed chart outlining the compliance of states with the general directions issued by it in the judgments of Shakti Vahini and Tehseen Poonawalla, towards curbing hate speech..In September, the apex court had taken a very dim view of the functioning of mainstream television news channels in the country, stating that they often give space for hate speech and then escape without any sanctions. Further, it observed that politicians benefit the most when their hate speech get a platform.During an earlier hearing, the Supreme Court had also frowned upon the functioning of the National Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA), observing that television channels in India are creating divisions in society since they are driven by agendas and compete to sensationalise news.."You should have taken suo motu cognisance": SG Tushar Mehta in sharp exchange with Supreme Court on hate speech in Kerala against Hindus.Last month, the Bench had lamented the fall in standards of political discourse in the country, saying that great orators like Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Atal Bihari Vajpayee are long gone and hate speeches by fringe elements have instead come to occupy their space.Further, the country is now witnessing hate speeches from all camps and it has led to a vicious cycle of action and reaction, the Court said..[Read our live-coverage of the hearing below]