TREAT HATE SPEECH AS CRIMINAL CASES: SUPREME COURT ON ACT AGAINST HATE CRIME

On Friday, the Supreme Court harshly criticised the government for continuing to do little to combat the increasing threat of hate speech. The supreme court said that the Indian Constitution envisions a secular nation and issued a warning to the government that any delay in acting on this "extremely important problem" may result in the court holding them in contempt.

The Supreme Court instructed three states to take action against anyone who makes hate statements on Friday, reminding them that the nation is secular.

The top court stated that the Constitution places a high value on secularism and ordered the governments of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand to crack down severely on hate speech. 

“The Constitution of India envisages a secular nation and fraternity among citizens assuring the dignity of the individual...The unity and integrity of the nation are one of the guiding principles enshrined in the preamble. There cannot be fraternity unless the members of the community from different religions can live in harmony. The petitioner points out that despite various penal provisions, no action has been taken and there is a need to serve constitutional principles. We feel this court is charged with a duty to protect the fundamental rights and also protect and serve the constitution where the rule of law is maintained,” the top court said.

The bench wanted to know what had been done in response to recent hate speeches made in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, including one in which BJP leader Parvesh Verma called for a "complete boycott" without mentioning any particular group of people.