Uttarakhand government should ensure that no obnoxious statement is made in Roorkee Dharma Sansad: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand to publicly state in the court that no obscene statements will be made at the ‘Dharma Sansad’ to be held in Roorkee on Wednesday.

A three-judge bench headed by Justice AM Khanwilkar took note of the assurance given by the Uttarakhand government that the authorities are confident that no obnoxious statement will be made during the event and that all steps will be taken as per the decision of this court.

The bench comprising Justice Abhay S. Oka and Justice CT Ravikumar. “We direct the Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand to state the above assurance publicly and apprise him of the corrective measures,” the bench said.

Let us tell you that in December last year, an FIR was registered in connection with the three-day ‘Dharma Sansad’ held in Haridwar where hate speeches were made targeting members of a community.

According to Live Law, the bench said, “You have to take immediate action.” Don’t ask us anything. There are other methods of preventive action. You know how to do it?’ The bench was hearing a petition filed by journalist Kurban Ali and senior advocate Anjana Prakash. Anjana Prakash has previously been a judge in the Patna High Court.

The petition sought criminal action against the hate speeches made during various religious parliaments in North India. The FIR was registered in connection with the three-day Dharma Sansad held in Haridwar last December, where hate speeches were made targeting Muslims and Hindus were asked to take up arms.