(Image source from: Supreme Court directs police to act against hate speeches})

With less than a month left for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, political parties have stepped up their attack on rival parties. Hate speeches are not new in Indian politics, but the Supreme Court has decided that enough is enough. It directed law enforcement agencies to book cases against people who make hate speeches as it harms society.

The apex court stated that hate speeches - based on on religion, caste, ethnicity or region - from impactful political, social and religious leaders are a nuisance to society. The country's highest court seeks the Law Commission to examine whether such hate speeches can be curbed by de-recognising
a political party or its members who make such remarks.

Justice B S Chauhan, who headed a bench to discuss the issue, said that there are sufficient legal provisions backed by statutory acts to take care of hate speeches, while refusing to frame guidelines to stop the menace.

He stated that the menace of hate speech is not due to lack of laws to deal with the issue, but because there is a lack of will to execute the legal provisions already there by the executive as well as the civil society.

The Supreme Court bench asked the Law Commission to clearly define as to what comprises of hate speech. And to make appropriate recommendations to the Parliament with a view to help the Election Commission in dealing with hate speeches made during elections.

The apex court while restraining itself from indulging into judicial activism stated that framing guidelines to curb hate speech was the job of the legislature and also enough laws do exist to deal with the issue, so there was no need for the bench to pass guidelines.

(Picture Source: gaylaxymag.com)

(AW: Pratima Tigga)