Hate speech against communities
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 23: Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Jammu Amarjeet Singh Langeh today rejected the bail application of one Darshan Lal Thappa, who released video on social media regarding hatred speech against communities.
After hearing Advocate Pawan Kundal for the applicant whereas APP Kuldeep Bhat for the police, the CJM observed, “prima facie, speech alluded to petitioner in the video that has allegedly gone viral – is undoubtedly not only too outrageous but also highly obnoxious and brazen display of hate and ill-will against the community that petitioner is time and again referring to in his speech”.
“Petitioner, by virtue of his utterances as depicted in the video in question, seems to be incredibly determined to drive and create a wedge of hate and ill-will amongst different communities by way of polarization”, the court said, adding “the degree and extent of toxicity that petitioner has demonstrated in the speech has all and every propensity not only to stir up the emotions of targeted community but also promote and encourage dis-harmony, feelings of enmity and ill-will between different communities besides showing the particular community in bad taste and poor light”.
“Society cannot afford to nurture grudges and brazenly propagate hatred interse different communities. As they say, freedom of speech comes with responsibility. Evidence collected thus far during investigation does not give even a prima facie whiff that petitioner displayed such responsibility”, the court said and rejected the bail application.
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