Taking a strong note on the Hate speeches the Supreme Court termed the State “impotent” for failing to rein in hate speeches across the country and made it clear that the toxicity could be ended only when politics and religion are segregated from the national discourse.
“Every day, fringe elements are making speeches to vilify others, including on TV and at public forums. The problem arises when politicians are mixing politics with religion. The moment politics and religion are segregated, this will come to an end. When politicians stop using religion, all these things will come to a stop,” a bench of Justices K.M. Joseph and B.V. Nagarathna observed while refusing to discharge the Maharashtra government in a contempt petition.
The bench made no mention of any incumbent public figure but referred to Jawaharlal Nehru and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. “We need to look where we, as a country, are going. There were orators like Jawaharlal Nehru and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the midnight speech. People from remote areas and every nook and corner used to go to hear these leaders. Now, fringe elements from all sides are making statements and we are now asked to take contempt action against these people,” Justice Nagarathna said.
Without mentioning any group, the bench also flagged a phrase weaponised by the Sangh parivar ecosystem. “Statements are made like ‘Go to Pakistan’. People of other communities chose this country. They are like your brothers and sisters. We are trying to say that ‘don’t go to that level’,” Justice Joseph said.
