Supreme Court of India extended the scope of its 2022 order — which directed the Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand Police to take suo motu action against hate speech cases — and directed all states and union territories to register cases over hate speeches even if no complaint is made.
Terming hate speech a serious offence, the apex court further said hate speech is “capable of affecting the secular fabric of the country.”
The top court warned that delays in filing cases will be treated as contempt of court.
“We further make it clear that such action be taken irrespective of the religion of the maker of the speech, so that the secular character of Bharat as envisaged by the Preamble is preserved,” the bench, comprised of Justices KM Joseph and BV Nagarathna, said.
Last month, the apex court had said that hate speech “is happening because the State is impotent, State is powerless, State doesn’t act in time”, and will stop “the moment politics and religion are segregated.”
The order was passed in an application filed by petitioner journalist Shaheen Abdullah seeking directions to curb hate speeches.
