SC declines PIL seeking removal of social media content allegedly threatening communal harmony

The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to entertain a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking directions to the Centre and social media platforms to identify, remove and block content and memes related to anti-national slogans and speeches.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana declined to accept the submissions made by lawyer Barun Sinha, appearing for Ahmedabad-based petitioner Hitendra Kumar Parsottambhai Gadhiya. The bench also refused to tag the plea with another pending petition concerning social media content.

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“You can pursue your alternate remedies,” the CJI said.

The petitioner had sought directions to block or remove social media posts that allegedly threatened communal harmony, national integrity and judicial independence.

The plea named X Corp, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and WhatsApp, along with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, as respondents.

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It said the circulation of anti-national slogans, speeches and statements against India's sovereignty and integrity on social media had prompted the petitioner to approach the court.

The petition also alleged that security threats from unruly mobs under the banner of the so-called ‘CJP’, along with fake messages circulated through SMS and social media platforms, had held the national capital and several state capitals hostage.

It further claimed that fake news and provocative statements posed a serious threat to communal harmony and public order, leading to disruption and unrest.

The petitioner sought a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to block or remove posts that allegedly incited people against communal harmony, national integrity and judicial independence, and undermined the authority of constitutional functionaries.

(With inputs from agencies)