Ensure there's no hate speech: SC after allowing VHP rallies

New Delhi: The Supreme Court Wednesday directed police and civil authorities in Haryana and Delhi to ensure no hate speech is rendered or violence breaks out during rallies proposed to be taken out by right-wing Hindu groups including Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) to protest against the communal violence that broke out in Nuh in Haryana.

A bench headed by Justice Sanjiv Khanna, however, refused to stay a proposed VHP rally on Wednesday. The bench emphasised that the state authorities must ensure compliance with the Supreme Court's earlier ruling against hate speech.

The bench ordered that the state along with the police force shall ensure that there is "no hate speech against any community or violence against any property". Speaking for the bench, Justice Khanna verbally observed that there cannot be any quarrel that "hate speech vitiates the atmosphere".


The bench also ordered deployment of additional police or paramilitary force wherever required. It further directed that the authorities shall use CCTV cameras or make video recordings in all sensitive areas wherever required. The court also ordered that the CCTV footage shall be preserved.

The counsel for the Centre assured the bench that state authorities would be bound by the top court's ruling against hate speech. The matter will come up for resumed hearing on Friday.

Appearing on behalf of the petitioner, senior advocate C U Singh informed the bench that a call for a number of protests in the NCR has been made. He further argued that there were concerns of hate speeches being made, calling for the genocide of one community.