Brinda Karat moves Supreme Court against calls for social, economic boycott of Muslims by VHP, Bajrang Dal

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Synopsis

In the impleadment application, the applicants have submitted that the outcome of the judgment would necessarily affect the democratic and secular fabric of this country and the public interest.

Brinda Karat, member of Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and KM Tiwari, Secretary of CPI(M) Delhi State Committee, have approached the Supreme Court of Indi for bringing certain hate speeches made by leaders of certain religious outfits recently in Delhi to its notice.

In an impleadment application filed in the writ petition filed by Shaheed Abdullah, it has been submitted that leaders of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal etc. have incited people against Muslim community in the name of Hindu Religion at public meetings held in various places in Delhi such as Nangloi, Ghonda Chowk etc.

"...people were instigated against the constitutional values and secularism in the name of Hinduism. Such meetings are being held in different parts of National Capital and there has been continuous calls for economic and social boycott of Muslim community", the IA submits.

Court has been informed that although these speeches are clearly an offence under several Sections of Indian Penal Code such as 153A, 153B, 295A, 505(1) etc., neither stringent action is being taken against such people by the Police and Administration nor are such meetings being stopped.

Notably, with reference to its earlier order passed in October last year, wherein it had directed the Police authorities in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and UT of Delhi NCR to take suo moto action against those indulging in hate speeches, the Supreme Court in April 2023 had directed all the States and Union Territories across the country to do the same.

Notably, the earlier order of October 2022 was passed by the Supreme Court in a plea that sought urgent intervention by the Court to stop the growing menace of targeting and terrorizing the Muslim community in India. Filed by one Shaheen Abdulla, the plea sought initiation of action under UAPA against persons engaging in hate speech against Muslims.

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court had refused to stay rallies being held by Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal in parts of Delhi NCR, after communal clashes broke out in Gurugram and Nuh district.

Some ten days back, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal had also mentioned a plea before CJI DY Chandrachud seeking action against calls made for boycott of Muslims following the violence in Nuh, Haryana.

Sibal had mentioned the plea saying there were instances where individuals have been urged to label those who employ people from a specific community as 'gaddars' (traitors).

Filed by Shaheen Abdulla, the plea relies on a video that surfaced on social media wherein Samhast Hindu Samaj can be seen walking through a neighbourhood in Hisar, Haryana in the presence of Police officials issuing warnings to residents and shopkeepers that if they continue to employ/keep any Muslims, then their shops will be boycotted.

Case Title: Shaheen Abdullah vs. Union of India