‘Fundamental rights must be protected’, Supreme Court gives relief to Imran Pratapgarhi in inflammatory poem case; FIR quashed

Congress Rajya Sabha MP Imran Pratapgarhi has got relief from the Supreme Court today (28 March). The court dismissed the FIR registered against the Congress MP in Gujarat. A bench of Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Ujjwal Bhuiyan said that what the Congress MP did is not a crime.

Gujarat Police had registered a case regarding social media posts that allegedly spoiled the harmony. Justice Oka, while giving the verdict, said that literature, art, satire make life more meaningful; freedom of expression is necessary for a dignified life.

What did the court say?

A bench of Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Ujjwal Bhuiyan said that it is the duty of the court to protect the fundamental rights of citizens. The bench said, “Even if a large number of people dislike the views of another, the right of a person to express views should be respected and protected. Literature, including fiction, drama, film, satire and art, make human life more meaningful.” The Congress leader had challenged the January 17 order of the Gujarat High Court, in which his plea to quash the FIR lodged against him was rejected, saying that the investigation was still in a very preliminary stage.

What is the matter?

Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi had posted a video on the social media platform X. In which he was walking waving his hands and flower petals were being showered on him. In this 46-second video, the sound of a song “Ae Khoon Ke Pyase Baat Suno” was also coming from the background.

Gujarat Police had registered an FIR against the Congress MP regarding this song. Gujarat Police alleged that the lyrics of this song were provocative, harmful to national unity and hurting religious sentiments. But now Pratapgarhi has got a big relief from the Supreme Court.