Supreme Court Clears Poetry of Inflammatory Accusations

The Supreme Court ruled that a poem recited by Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi did not promote disharmony or hatred. Instead, the poem encouraged non-violence and standing against injustice. The poem, attributed to Faiz Ahmed Faiz or Habib Jalib, was scrutinized for inciting community hostility but found harmless.

On Friday, the Supreme Court clarified that a poem recited by Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi was not inflammatory, stating that it discouraged violence and encouraged confronting injustice with love.

Attributed to renowned poets Faiz Ahmed Faiz or Habib Jalib, the poem sparked controversy and legal scrutiny. The Congress representative faced accusations of inciting community discord through words potentially harmful to religious harmony.

However, Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan ruled the content neither fostered hatred nor disrupted public order. The court dismissed the charges under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita's Section 196, citing no link to religious provocation.

(With inputs from agencies.)