"These are the things that later become law and order issues", SC in Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind plea against communalization of Markaz Issue

The Supreme Court today gave Central Government two weeks to respond on what steps have been taken by them to ensure that reportage of the Nizamuddin Markaz issue is not communalised. (Jamiat Ulema I Hind Order).Further, both the Centre and the Press Council of India (PCI) have been asked to include in their reply what action can be taken against erring media channels under Sections 19 and 20 of the Cable Television Networks Act, 1995..The Court directed the same while dealing with the petition filed by Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind on the issue..The Court today cautioned the Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who appeared for the Centre, that such issues may later culminate in law and order issues. ."Don't let people instigate law and order issues. These are the things that later become law and order issues."the Supreme Court observed..When the matter was taken up last month, the Court had adjourned the case, insisting that the PCI must be made a party. Accordingly, an application was made for the impleadment..We cannot curb Freedom of Press, make Press Council of India a party: SC on Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind plea against communalization of Markaz Issue.When the matter came up today, around 7 weeks after the last adjournment, the Bench opined that it would be appropriate if the News Broadcasters Association (NBA) headed by Justice (retd.) AK Sikri also be made a party to the matter..Appearing for the petitioner, Senior Advocate Dushyant Dave pressed that the plea be heard today, as it involved a serious issue..The Court, in turn, assured that, "We take all matters seriously. You don't have to tell us again and again. It's a judicial process.".The Bench also questioned the PCI if they had taken any action on the issue, to which the PCI responded that they had not received a copy of the plea..Dave pointed out, however, that the PCI is only an advisory body. While urging that the matter should be heard today, he also pointed out that the Central Government has ample powers to act against errant media outlets under Sections 19 and 20 of the Cable Television Networks Act, 1995..Dave also highlighted television reports by certain mainstream media channels that contained objectionable content in their reporting on the Nizamuddin Markaz event. He pointed out that while these reports dated back to between April 1-10, no action had been taken over the same till date..In view of these submissions, the Court proceeded to give the PCI, as well as the Centre, two weeks time to respond before adjourning the matter. .The plea by Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind had claimed that the media has communalised the Nizamuddin Markaz event, where about 2,500 individuals congregated in the midst of the Coronavirus outbreak..The plea filed for the organisation by Advocate Ejaz Maqbool states that reports on the Tablighi Jamaat by certain sections of print and electronic media has "demonised the entire Muslim community.".The plea further states that this demonization of the community has led to serious "threat to life and liberty of Muslims", and has thus led to the violation of their "Right to life under Article 21.".The petition adds that most of the reports presented the facts in a twisted manner, using phrases like "Corona Jihad", "Corona Terrorism" or "Islamic Resurrection"..The petitioner organisation contends that if there is any delay in ordering a directive to stop communal reporting regarding the Markaz issue, it would only “promote ill-will, enmity and hatred towards the Muslim community in India.”.[READ ORDER]