Supreme Court to Resolve Hate Speech Petitions Amidst Controversy

The Supreme Court plans to close several hate speech petitions filed since 2021. A bench reserved orders on these petitions after submissions by the Centre, Delhi Police, and Uttar Pradesh. The court will review a 2021 alleged hate crime case in February. It previously stressed the importance of swift action against hate speech.

The Supreme Court is set to close the majority of hate speech petitions dating back to 2021. A judicial bench, led by Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, has reserved orders after significant compliance was reported by the Centre, Delhi Police, and the Uttar Pradesh government.

A key matter remaining involves an alleged 2021 hate crime against a Muslim cleric in Noida, which the court will review in February. The Uttar Pradesh government claims it was a robbery case, not a hate crime, a point contested by the cleric's representation.

The apex court, emphasizing the threat hate speech poses to India's secular fabric, mandated immediate case registration across India. Any authority delaying this process risks contempt charges, underscoring the court's determination to tackle hate speech decisively.

(With inputs from agencies.)