The Supreme Court declined an urgent hearing on a public interest litigation (PIL) concerning alleged derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad in a viral social media video. The Court advised the petitioner to first approach the police authorities and follow the ordinary legal process. Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Sheel Nagu refused to entertain the plea for urgent listing at this stage, emphasizing faith in the legal system.
“The police are there. Have faith in our system. We are only the Apex; we are here to monitor,” remarked Justice Amanullah. The Court acknowledged the gravity of the allegations but stressed the importance of following the prescribed legal procedure first. Justice Amanullah highlighted the need to avoid sensationalizing sensitive issues and urged adherence to the law.
The PIL, filed under Article 32 of the Constitution by advocate-on-record Ansar Ahmad Chaudhari, seeks directions to identify and remove defamatory content against Prophet Muhammad on social media platforms. It also calls for guidelines regulating offensive content and preventing the misuse of online platforms to incite communal disharmony. The petition addresses concerns over a viral podcast clip containing derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad.
The plea argues that while freedom of speech is essential, it should not extend to making offensive remarks against revered religious figures. The petition names various respondents, including the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, YouTube, Facebook, and the individual allegedly responsible for the offensive remarks. An FIR was registered in Mumbai on June 23 in connection with the alleged remarks, leading to the filing of the PIL before the apex court on July 2.
