Observing
that there has to be harmony and comity between communities, the Supreme Court
on Friday asked the Centre to constitute a committee to look into the cases of
hate speech.
The
top court was hearing a plea over alleged blatant hate speeches calling for
killing members of a particular community and their social and economic boycott
at rallies in different states, including Haryana where recent communal clashes
claimed six lives.
A
bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti asked Additional Solicitor
General K M Nataraj, appearing for the Centre, to seek instructions and inform
it about the committee by August 18.
"There
has to be harmony and comity between the communities. All the communities are
responsible. The problem of hate speech is not good and nobody can accept
it," the bench observed.
The
top court also directed the petitioner to collate all the material, including
video and submit to the nodal officers appointed in pursuance to its October
21, 2022 judgement.
The
application, filed by journalist Shaheen Abdullah, has referred to the August 2
order of the apex court which said, We hope and trust that the state
governments and police will ensure that no hate speeches irrespective of the
identity are made against any community and there is no physical violence or
damage to the properties.
Observing that hate speeches vitiate the atmosphere,
the top court had said that wherever required, adequate police force or
paramilitary force would be deployed and the authorities, including the police,
will use CCTV cameras installed or record/make video recording in all sensitive
areas.