‘Police action against hate speech offenders has been disappointing’: Maha PUCL general secretary

While right to protest is a fundamental right guaranteed under the Indian Constitution, these rallies are being used for hate mongering and inciting enmity between communities, thereby threatening peace and communal harmony. There have been repeated instances of provocative, inciteful and communal hate speeches made at these rallies on false propaganda like love and land jihad, and other such divisive narratives.

This whole bogey of love jihad is a fake claim being made to create communal divide and infringe upon the right to choice and marriage of citizens. There have been calls for violence, economic and social boycott of Muslims and even anti-constitutional demands for Hindu rashtra. The posters of these events on social media themselves use words such as love jihad, land jihad which are clearly communal.

It is reported that more than 50 such rallies have been conducted in the last few months, several of them after the Supreme Court orders. However, police action, both to prevent hate speech at rallies, as well as to prosecute hate speech offenders, has been disappointing.

Maharashtra government recently told Supreme Court that 18 FIRs have been registered across the state last week. Do you believe the number of such instances is more?

Yes, there have been numerous instances of communal hate speech against minorities at these rallies and public events. Even if FIRs were filed in some instances, as is reported to the court, no action has been taken against the perpetrators. Not a single arrest has been made so far, even when the identity of the offenders is known, and hate speeches are video recorded, and even put up on social media.

The filing of FIRs itself proves that hate speeches are being made at these rallies, so the police is duty bound to take preventive action against hate speech offenders, and ensure it does not take place again. Instead, this has been allowed to continue in different parts of the state, thereby impacting public order, communal harmony and peace in the State.

There have been increasing reports of communal violence around festivals and hate crimes against minorities. Urgent action is needed to be taken so that the situation is not allowed to escalate.

What do you think is the reason behind the surge in such rallies in the past few months?

Those indulging in hate speech and issuing calls to violence against minorities clearly have a communal and divisive agenda, and want to incite members of the communities against each other. Not taking any action has encouraged those indulging in such criminal acts. If prompt action was taken by government machinery and police after the very first such rally, this situation would not have arisen in the first place.

What measures should police take to ensure these rallies do not indulge in hate mongering?

Such public events being conducted on communal narratives are a threat to public order and the secular fabric of our country. Preventive action must be taken, and strict penal action as per law is required to send out a strong message that this will not be allowed. What we need today, is a strong public message for communal harmony and peace both in action and expression.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told Supreme Court that only one community is being shown as involved in hate crimes, while it is prevalent across communities. What are your thoughts on it ?

It is unfortunate that such statements are made instead of taking stock of the potentially dangerous situation being reported. Anyone indulging in hate speech and incitement to violence, irrespective of community, are a threat to democracy and law and order in the state. It compromises the security of citizens and peace of the nation. There are instances of continuing public hate speech against minorities being reported in Maharashtra which need to be prosecuted and prevented in future. Instead they are being responded to in rhetoric and inaction.