Bharat is a secular nation: Supreme Court

There cannot be fraternity unless members of community drawn from different religions or castes of the country are able to live in harmony, remarked the Supreme Court on last Friday.

A division bench of Justices KM Joseph and Hrishikesh Roy further observed that the Constitution of India envisages Bharat as a secular nation and fraternity assuring the dignity of the individual and unity and the integrity of the country is the guiding principle enshrined in the Preamble.

These observations came to be made by the Supreme Court while it 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 as provided under the Indian Penal Code.

The division bench has given these directions whilst issuing notice in a plea that sought urgent intervention by the Court to stop the growing menace of targeting and terrorizing the Muslim community in India.

Court lamented that the statements of hate speech put before it by the petitioners were very disturbing, especially for a country which is a democracy.

Justice KM Jospeh in his order said that the complaint which has been raised in the instant writ petition appears to be very serious.

"It relates to the growing climate of hate in the country. This is attributable according to the petitioner to an unending flow of what is described as hate speeches being made by various persons against the Muslim community.....The complaint of the petitioner is one of despondency and angst arising from the perception that despite suitable provisions in penal law being available, there is inaction or rather total inaction", the Court further noted.

Case Title: Shaheen Abdulla vs. Union of India and Ors.