New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday (April 26) directed the Uttarakhand chief secretary to place on record that no hate speeches will be made at the Dharma Sansad scheduled in Roorkee for Wednesday.
“You will have to take immediate action. Don’t make us say something. There are other ways of preventive action. You know how to do it!” the bench stated, according to LiveLaw.
A three-judge bench headed by Justice A.M. Khanwilkar took note of the assurance given by the Uttarakhand government that authorities are confident that no untoward statement will be made during the event and all steps as per decisions of this court will be taken.
“We direct the chief secretary of Uttarakhand to place the above position on record and apprise us about the corrective measures,” the bench also comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka and C.T. Ravikumar said.
The bench was hearing a petition filed by journalist Qurban Ali and senior advocate Anjana Prakash, formerly a judge in the Patna high court, seeking criminal action against hate speeches made at various Dharma Sansads in north India.
FIRs were earlier registered in connection with the three-day Dharma Sansad that was held in Haridwar last December where hate speeches were made targeting Muslims and urging Hindus to pick up arms.
(With PTI inputs)