Haridwar Hate Speech: A bench headed by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana will hear the matter. (File)
Supreme Court today issued notice to Uttarakhand government and sought its response in hate speeches case where open calls for genocide were made at a "Dharma Sansad" in Haridwar.
The Uttarakhand government has to respond in ten days. The notice has also been issued to Centre and Delhi police.
Supreme Court allowed the petitioner to approach local authorities on their request to stop the Dharam Sansad to be held on 23 January in Aligarh (UP).
A bench of headed by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, and Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli were hearing the matter.
The petition, filed by former High Court Justice Anjana Prakash and journalist Kurban Ali, flags hate speeches targeting Muslims and calls for an independent, credible and fair probe by a Special Investigation Team.
"Slogans of the country have changed from Satyameva Jayate to Sashastramev Jayate," Kapil Sibal, senior lawyer, told the top court, adding that only FIRs have been filed but no arrests have been made.
The plea has alleged that the police inaction shows it is hand in glove with perpetrators of communal hate.
At the religious assembly held on December 17-19, various religious leaders made outrageous speeches calling for the use of weapons against Muslims.
After much outrage, the Uttarakhand police first filed an FIR naming only one person - Waseem Rizvi who converted and calls himself Jitendra Tyagi - and 'unknown persons'. Later, four more names were added - Sagar Sidhu Maharaj and Yati Narasimhanand, Dharamdas and Pooja Shakun Pandey.
The conclave was organised by Yati Narasimhanand, a religious leader who has been accused in the past of inciting violence with his inflammatory speeches.
In one of the controversial clips, Prabodhanand Giri was heard saying: "Like Myanmar, our police, our politicians, our Army and every Hindu must pick up weapons and conduct a Safayi Abhiyan (ethnic cleansing). There is no other option left."
Here are the Live updates on Haridwar Hate Speech case:
"Hope Stern Action Will Be Taken": Petitioner Quraban AliPetitioner Quraban Ali said he is thankful to the Supreme Court for hearing the PIL on an urgent basis.
"Notice has been issued to Centre and State. We hope that stern action will be taken and culprits will be put behind bars. We have full faith in Judiciary," he said.
Haridwar Hate Speech Case -CJI: It appears that another bench is hearing similar matters. Justice Khanwilkar's bench.
Kapil Sibal for petitioners: No they are not
Adv Indira Jaisingh : It was the plea by Tushar Gandhi which was handled by SC earlier
Adv Shadan Farasat intervening: Other matters on the other bench are on hate speech. But not Dharam Sansad specifically.
CJI: Now there are so many people who want to attach their issues to this
Kapil Sibal for petitioners: No arrests are taking place. The atmosphere of the country will be vitiated. Ethos of the Republic will be affected if these events are constantly being held especially in election bound states.
Haridwar Hate Speech Case - Kapil Sibal for Petitioners: I don't want to read and sensationalise what was said there. We have sent a paper to you. You can read the content there.
CJI: We cannot do anything at this stage. We will issue a notice to state government and then we will see.
Advocate Indira Jaising intervening : On an earlier plea by Tushar Gandhi (great grandson of Mahatma Gandhi) this court had passed orders on hate speech issues. We need preventive measures
Kapil Sibal for petitioners: if you issue the notice please ask them to respond soon because the organisers keep announcing these events and another Dharm Sansad will be held.
Judges now discussing among themselves