The court refrained from banning the rallies and protests but said CCTV cameras be installed at sensitive places. The bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and S V N Bhatti directed additional solicitor general S V Raju, appearing for the Centre, to get in touch with authorities concerned to prevent violence and hate speeches. It said the authorities were bound to take action against hatemongers as per the apex court’s guidelines and judgment last year.
The bench said additional police or para-military forces be deployed to maintain law and order in NCR. The court was hearing a plea which alleged that Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal were planning numerous rallies and demonstrations in NCR which, if not prevented, would create further problems in the region.
Though the petitioner sought a ban on the demonstrations by VHP and Bajrang Dal, the court said that the authorities are supposed to follow guidelines laid down by the SC. The top court had last year directed that police and state government initiate suo motu action against those accused of making hate speeches without waiting for a formal complaint to be lodged.
“Please get in touch with the authorities immediately to ensure that nothing untoward happens and at least there are no hate speeches or violence at all. And wherever you think are sensitive areas, take additional precautions in the form of additional police forces. Also, deploy CCTV cameras to ensure everything is recorded,” Justice Khanna told the ASG.
The bench said there cannot be any quarrel on the proposition that hate speeches vitiate the atmosphere and the authorities must take adequate precautions to ensure that there is no violence and there are no hate speeches.
“We hope and trust that the state governments, including the police authorities, will ensure there are no hate speeches against any community and there is no violence or damage to property. Wherever required, adequate police force or paramilitary forces will be deployed. Further, the authorities, including police, will make use of the CCTV cameras where installed or make video recordings in all sensitive areas wherever required. The CCTV footage and the videos will be preserved,” the bench said and asked its registry to inform the standing counsel of Delhi’s neighbouring states about the order.
Senior Advocate C U Singh, appearing for the petitioner, alleged that VHP was organising 23 protests during the day and many had already taken place in the morning where hate speeches were made. The court did not delve into the plea of banning such demonstrations and said it will take stock of the situation on Friday.
Singh had sought an urgent listing of the case before the Chief Justice and it was listed for 2pm. Justice Khanna was part of the Constitution bench which was hearing a batch of petitions against amendment of Article 370 and joined it only after wrapping up the hearing.
Sending a stern message to law enforcement authorities that they would also not be spared for failing in discharging their duty in curbing hate speeches, the apex court had said they would have to face contempt of court in case of hesitation or inaction on their part to book the accused. It had said that action must be taken irrespective of who makes the hate speech.
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Haryana Nuh Violence: SC issues notice to UP, Haryana and Delhi govts, directs Centre to ensure ‘no hate speech’ in rallies
