New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed authorities to ensure no violence or hate speeches took place in the many marches that are being organised in Delhi and the National Capital Region by right-wing groups to protest the communal violence in neighbouring Haryana.
The apex court convened a special sitting at 2 pm to hear an application filed to stop the rallies organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and its students wing, Bajrang Dal.
Arguing for the applicant, senior advocate C.U. Singh told the court that 23 protest marches were on the anvil in Delhi.
Hearing the matter, the top court asked the authorities of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to deploy additional forces, and to record rallies in sensitive areas and preserve the footage.
A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and S.V. Bhatti said the top court has already passed orders in October 2022 and April 2023, directing the police to register suo motu FIRs against hate speech. The bench said the authorities must comply with that order.
The bench told Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju: “Please get in touch with the authorities immediately to ensure that nothing untoward happens and at least there are no hate speeches or violence at all. And wherever you think are sensitive areas, take additional precautions in the form of additional police force. Also, deploy CCTV cameras to ensure everything is recorded.”
The top court has listed the matter for 4 August next.
Six people have died in communal clashes that began in Haryana’s Nuh on Monday and spilled over to affluent Gurugram a day later.
An imam in a Gurugram mosque was killed on Monday night, and several shops and restaurants belonging to Muslim were burnt to the ground.
Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday appealed to the people to maintain peace and to not listen to rumours.
Also read: Spread of violence proves law and order machinery in Haryana in tatters: Mayawati