Hate speech: Ex-Army officers move apex court for SIT probe

New Delhi, January 15

Three former Army officers moved the Supreme Court seeking an SIT probe into hate speeches allegedly made at Dharam Sansads held at Haridwar and Delhi last month.

A Bench led by CJI NV Ramana has already issued notices to the Centre, Delhi Police and Uttarakhand Government on another PIL on the issue filed by journalist Qurban Ali and senior advocate Anjana Prakash. Ali and Prakash too have sought an “independent, credible and impartial investigation” by an SIT into the incidents of alleged hate speeches at the Dharm Sansads.

Referring to the videos with blatant calls for genocide against minority communities being circulating on social media, the petitioners — Major General SG Vombatkere, Colonel PK Nair and Major Priyadarshi Chowdhury — said if unchecked, such incidents would have a serious impact on the morale of the soldiers in the armed forces who come from diverse communities and religions.

“From personal experience, it is felt that such hate speeches can even affect the battle-efficiency of our armed forces and in turn compromise national security,” the petitioners submitted.

Such seditious and divisive speeches violate not only the criminal law of the land, but also strike at the core of Article 19 of the Constitution, they said, adding, “These speeches stain the secular fabric of the nation and also have serious potential to impact public order adversely.”

Will impact morale of armed forces

In their petition, Major General SG Vombatkere, Colonel PK Nair and Major Priyadarshi Chowdhury said if unchecked, such incidents would have a serious impact on the morale of the soldiers in the armed forces who come from diverse communities and religions.