SC declines to block ‘Dharam Sansad’, asks UP authorities to monitor for hate speech

The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to entertain a contempt petition filed against the Uttar Pradesh administration and police for allegedly failing to prevent the ‘Dharam Sansad,’ organised in Ghaziabad by Yati Narasinghanand - a controversial figure known for making communally sensitive remarks, even as it directed the state authorities to take all necessary precautions to ensure that hate speeches are not made during the event. Pointing out that it would not be possible for the Supreme Court to entertain such pleas directly, the court noted that it expects compliance by the authorities with its previous directions to curb hate speech. The petitioners, a group of former civil servants and activists including retired IAS officer Aruna Roy and former Planning Commission member Syeda Hameed, argued that the When advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing the petitioners, pointed out the inaction of authorities and Narasinghanand’s history of hate speeches against the Muslim community, the court advised approaching the high court instead. The Law Commission of India’s 267th Report, released in 2017, proposed two new provisions to address hate speech, recommending penalties including up to two years of imprisonment for offences involving incitement to hatred or discrimination.