The Delhi High Court Women Lawyers Forum on Thursday wrote a letter to Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, seeking action against videos circulating on social media calling for economic boycott of certain communities in the aftermath of Nuh violence in Haryana.
Signed by 101 female lawyers, the letter petition sought directions to the Haryana government to take steps for prevention of hate speech incidents, banning of videos showing such speech and taking immediate action in accordance with law against those found responsible for committing such acts.
Expressing deep concern over the circulation of hate speech videos and incitement of targeted violence, the lawyers said that as members of the legal community and the Delhi High Court Women Lawyers Forum residing in Delhi and Gurgaon, they have approached the CJI to bring to his notice the fact that hate speech videos were circulating on social media, purported to have been recorded at rallies in Haryana.
We humbly seek urgent and expeditious directions to the State of Haryana to prevent incidents of hate speech and take action against those who have perpetrated it, in violation of directions repeatedly issued by the Supreme Court and to immediately track and ban these videos that amplified hate speech and create an atmosphere of fear.
The letter petition further referred to the suo motu cognisance taken by the Punjab and Haryana High Court with respect to illegal demolitions by the state authorities, noting that the ‘swift and sensitive approach’ has gone a long way in building confidence of citizens in the rule of law.
The lawyers said despite such repeated guidelines and directions (passed by the Supreme Court), the unprecedented incidents of hate speech in Nuh and other districts revealed a comprehensive failure on part of the state administration and police to implement preventive measures and have appropriate responsive measures during and after such incidents.
The letter further said that unchecked hate speech in rallies and speeches not only carried the risk of inciting violence, but also fostered an environment and culture of communal fear, harassment and discrimination.
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