Not inclined to either legislate or monitor every incident of hate speech: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Tuesday signalled it would not assume the role of a nationwide monitor on hate speech, stating that existing institutions and legal mechanisms are already empowered to address such complaints.

- OUR CORRESPONDENT

The remarks were delivered by a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta while hearing an application alleging recent calls for the social and economic boycott of a particular community.

“We are not legislating in the garb of this petition. Rest assured, we are not inclined to either legislate or monitor every small incident which takes place in X, Y, Z pocket of this country. There are high courts, there are police stations, there are legislative measures. They are already in place,” the bench said.

The court initially directed the applicant to take his grievance to the relevant high court. “How can this court continue to monitor all such instances all over the country? You approach the authorities. Let them take action, otherwise go to the high court,” the bench told the lawyer representing the applicant.