Hate speeches: SC expresses displeasure at NGO

The Supreme Court today expressed displeasure at an NGO for pursuing a PIL seeking directions for restricting hate speeches by politicians and leaders of social and religious groups saying such petitions are coming in the way of addressing the grievances of people.
The apex court said there are statutory remedies to deal with offenders making inflammatory speeches and if such matters are entertained, it would reduced the entire system to a "mockery".
"You (NGO) have reduced the entire system to a mockery. This is the highest court," a bench of Justices B S Chauhan and S A Bobde said, adding, "You do not give chance to common people to come to the court. It is occupied by some people only."

The court said, "When the remedy is provided in the statute, where is the need for direction?
"If you take recourse to legal remedies and do not get relief, then you can come to us," the bench said while senior advocate Basava Patil was arguing for an NGO Pravasi Bhalai Sanghatan that the apex court should pass an order in this regard as no action is taken on the complaint.
"You tell us where we can issue direction? Even if we issue direction, how it can be enforced? Can such directions be issued?" the bench said, adding, "You give us a draft judgement that is enforceable in law. We will take it."

The bench said that there was a need for educating the people on the issue of hate speech as it is they who go and case their votes for these politicians.
The apex court on October 25 had also expressed reservation in framing of guidelines for restricting hate speeches.
"How can we stop people from making derogatory speeches? How can it be enforced? If it is an offence then file a complaint under the Representation of People's Act against the politicians," the bench had observed.