In Focus Podcast | Is the Supreme Court doing enough to tackle hate speech?

Last month, the Supreme Court declined to entertain a petition seeking criminal prosecution of Assam Chief Minister Hemanta Biswa Sarma over divisive and communal speeches. A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant, remarked that whenever elections approach, the court tends to become a political battleground, and consequently directed the petitioners to approach the Guwahati High Court.

Earlier in January, another Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Vikram Nath indicated that hate speech matters long pending before the Court since 2021 would be closed. The Bench, however, clarified that the parties remained free to pursue other legal remedies, including approaching the High Courts or seeking appropriate police action. 

Is the Supreme Court doing enough to tackle hate speech? Here, we discuss the question.

Guests: Shahrukh Alam, advocate practicing before the Supreme Court, and Haris Beeran, advocate and Rajya Sabha MP. I welcome you both to the episode.

Host: Aaratrika Bhaumik

Edited by Jude Francis Weston

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