Supreme Court refuses to stay Dharam Sansad event at Himachal Pradesh, directs petitioners to approach local authorities in State

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A Supreme Court bench of Justices Khanwilkar and Abhay Oka today refused to the stay the Dharam Sansad event that is to take place in Himachal Pradesh, the court however granted liberty to the petitioners to move the local authorities at the place where the event is to take place. The court has further directed the State of Uttarakhand to file a status a report on the action it has taken in respect of the ‘hate speeches’ that was delivered on the 17th December 2021 at Haridwar organised by Yati Narsinghanand.

The above transpired in the plea in Supreme Court seeks the court’s intervention in respect of the ‘hate speeches’ that was delivered on the 17th December 2021 at Haridwar organised by Yati Narsinghanand, and on 19th December 2021 at Delhi, organised by an organization called ‘Hindu Yuva Vahini’. According to the petition, the speeches were made with the apparent objective of declaring war against a significant section of the Indian Citizenry.

When the matter was called for hearing today, Kapil Sibal, Sr. Adv, appearing for the petitioner submitted that the next event of the organisation is to take place in Himachal Pradesh. He remarked, "The event is on Sunday, we are seeing what is happening." The court was however not inclined to grant any orders as the State of Himachal Pradesh was not served and hence there was no counsel representing the State present in the court. The court however granted liberty to the petitioners to move the local authorities of the area where the event is to take place. 

On the last date of hearing a bench headed by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana issued notice in the Public Interest Litigation while expressing its apprehension on other similar matters and intervention applications being filed with regard to the same issue. The CJI said, "There are penal laws, there is a judgment of the Supreme court as per the counsel, there are enough laws. What law can we lay down now?"

The matter will not come up for hearing on April 21, 2022. 

Case title: Qurban Ali Vs Union of India