SC refuses to entertain petition against Narsinghanand's Dharam Sansad at Ghaziabad
The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to entertain a PIL filed by activist Aruna Roy, former NCW member Syeda Hameed and others against a 'Dharam Sansad' organised at Ghaziabad during December 17-21 by Yati Narasinghanand who has faced allegations of making communal statements against Muslims.
“There are other matters which are equally serious. We will be flooded if we entertain this. You have to approach the High Court. We cannot entertain,” a Bench led by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna said.
The Supreme Court should not be the first court to be approached in such matters, it added.
The Bench, however, asked the Uttar Pradesh authorities to monitor the event and ensure that it was video recorded.
“Please keep a track of what is happening, recordings of the event be there, the mere fact that we are not entertaining doesn't mean there should be violations,” CJI Khanna told Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj, who represented the State of Uttar Pradesh.
On behalf of the petitioners, advocate Prashant Bhushan pointed out that Yati Narsinghanand was granted bail on the condition that he would not indulge in hate speech.
“How can you approach the Supreme court, then. You can move the high court for cancellation of bail. We leave it open for the petitioner to avail appropriate remedies. We also reiterated earlier order to maintain law and order and all officers should ensure compliance of law,” the Bench said.
Alleging violation of the top court’s 2022 directions to the authorities to lodge suo motu cases of hate speech, the petitioners sought contempt of court action against the Uttar Pradesh Police for allowing the event.
They alleged that the advertisements for the 'Dharam Sansad' included hate speeches against Muslims and incited violence against them. The Ghaziabad district administration and the Uttar Pradesh Police have failed to act as per the directions issued by the Supreme Court to take suo motu action against hate speeches, they alleged.
The 2021 'Dharam Sansad' organised by Yati Narasinghanand had made headlines for alleged communal comments and hate speeches and he was arrested. He was later released on bail.
