'Jai Shri Ram' slogan inside mosque: All eyes on key Supreme Court hearing

New Delhi: The Supreme Court is set to hear a case on Friday regarding the chanting of "Jai Shri Ram" inside a mosque. The case challenges a Karnataka High Court decision that stopped legal action against individuals who shouted the slogan within a mosque. The High Court justified its decision by stating the act did not offend religious feelings.

The Supreme Court will hear the appeal from Haydhar Ali, who contests the High Court's September 13 ruling. The High Court halted proceedings in a Puttur court concerning the incident at the Badriya Juma Masjid in Aithoor village on September 24, 2023.

Some individuals allegedly entered the mosque, shouted "Jai Shri Ram," and threatened the Muslim community's safety. Two people were arrested and later released on bail. The High Court stayed the trial court proceedings last November following the accused's plea and later quashed the case entirely.


Ali argues the High Court prematurely ended the proceedings before the police investigation was complete. He contends that trespassing is a crime, and shouting slogans inside a mosque could be considered a statement likely to incite communal unrest, which is also an offense.

Ali's petition states, "The fact that such an incident took place inside a mosque, coupled with the threat to the lives of Muslims, HC should have allowed police to complete the investigation into the matter without first passing an interim order."