Need a constructive solution to stem hate speech: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Friday underlined the need to find a constructive solution to stem the menace of hate speech. Verbally observing that the law on hate speech is "fairly complex", a bench headed by Justice Sanjiv Khanna said "there has to be sensitisation in the police force itself".

The observation came during the resumed hearing of a plea that had sought a stay on the protest rallies that were organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Wednesday over the communal violence at Nuh in Haryana. The petition was taken along with a batch of petitions seeking action over hate speech.

During the hearing, the Centre questioned the bona fide of the petitioners seeking stay on the VHP rallies. The bench insisted on looking at the future and not delving into the past.


The bench ordered the listing of the petitions after two weeks.

On Wednesday, the top court had directed the police and civil authorities in Haryana and Delhi to ensure no hate speech was rendered or violence broke out during the rallies taken out by right-wing groups including the VHP. It had, however, refused to stay the rally.