New Delhi: The Supreme Court has warned it would summon the Uttarakhand Chief Secretary if the state could not prevent hate speeches at a Hindu religious gathering that is to be held on Wednesday in Roorkee.
The dharam sansad event, a regular assembly of Hindu ascetics, sparked outrage last December when speakers made inflammatory speeches against Muslims. That event was held in Haridwar, Uttarakhand.
Bar and Bench quoted the top court as saying: “We are informed another dharam sansad is planned in Roorkee tomorrow… counsel for UK (Uttarakhand) submits that all preventive measures have been taken as per SC decision.”
The bench headed by Justice A.M. Khanwilkar added: “UK says authorities are confident that no such untoward statement will be made during the event and all steps as per decisions of this court will be taken. We direct the Chief Secretary of the UK to place the above position on record and apprise us about the corrective measures.”
The top court on Tuesday was hearing a petition seeking probe into alleged hate speeches against Muslims at recent dharam sansads.
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The petitioners had filed applications pointing out such gatherings were also scheduled in other cities.
Representing the petitioners, senior counsel Kapil Sibal told the apex court that “authorities were not doing anything to stop such hate speeches and calls for violence”.
The Uttarakhand government, on the other hand, told the court it would do its best to prevent any hate speech.
“It is your duty. You are not doing us a favour,” the judge replied, according to Bar and Bench.
The court also ordered the Himachal Pradesh government to file an affidavit, showing the steps it had taken to prevent hate speeches.
