Judiciary steps up to safeguard free speech

THE Supreme Court on Friday quashed the FIR and criminal proceedings initiated by Gujarat police against Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi over a poem in a video clip uploaded by him on social media.

- Suchitra Kalyan Mohanty

The 46-second video clip showed the Rajya Sabha MP being showered with flower petals as he walks, with the poem playing in the background. The FIR alleged the poem contained provocative lyrics that pitted communities against one another aside from hurting religious sentiments.

A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan said the poem had nothing to do with religion, caste, community, or any particular group, adding that the police must first understand the meaning of written or spoken words before lodging FIR in such cases.

"The poem's words do not bring about or promote disharmony or feelings of hatred or ill-will. It only seeks to challenge the injustice made by the ruler. It is impossible to say that the words used by the appellant disturb or are likely to disturb public tranquillity," the bench said.