On Friday, the Supreme Court of India, in a contempt petition, issued a notice to Hindutva leader Yati Narsinghananad. The petition was filed by an activist S Nelli for the derogatory remarks made by Narsinghanand against the apex court. This petition was heard by a division bench composed of Justice A.S. Bopanna and M.M. Sundresh.
The alleged statement made by the Hindutva leader was that people who support this system, including these politicians, the Supreme Court, and the Army, will all perish like dogs. Although a notice was issued, but no returnable date is given in the notice.
Facts of the Case
Last year, in January, Activist S Nelli had written a letter to the then Attorney General of India in lieu of consent to file a contempt petition against the Hindutva leader, Yati Narsinghanand also known as Deepak Tyagi. The proceedings listed the accused in the hate speech case at Dharam Sansad & the derogatory remarks made against the constitution and the apex court.
Further, it was remarked in the letter that he made remarks that we have no faith in the Constitution or the Supreme Court of India. The 100 crore Hindus in this nation will perish at the hands of the Constitution. Those who support this Constitution will be put to death. People who support this system, these politicians, the Supreme Court, and the Army will all perish in a dog’s grave. These remarks were made as a response to the question posed during the hate speech at Dharam Sansad.
The respondent in the present case is the head of Dasna Devi Temple in the state of Uttar Pradesh. At previous instances, he also has been accused of making offensive remarks against minorities especially Muslims and women. Around 20 different cases have already been filed against the respondent at previous instances.
Subsequent hearings
In addition to this, in the letter referred to the attorney general, it was also stated that in an interview the Hindutva leader on an issue of arrest remarked that When Jitendra singh tyagi had written a book not a policeman or politician had the nerve to arrest him. Further, the author of the letter asserted that the intention of the Hindutva leader is to damage the dignity and the authority of the apex court.
In response to the letter, the then attorney general granted to file the contempt petition against the Hindutva Leader over such remarks and noted that these remarks are a direct assault on the dignity and the authority of the apex court.
Subsequently the petition was filed in the supreme court. The petition noted that there might be total disorder and anarchy as a result of any attempt to undermine the institution’s majesty and the inhabitants of India’s confidence in the Court. The Supreme Court has likely never been the target of a more ferocious onslaught than this one.
If such remarks are allowed unaddressed the attempt to lower the dignity of the apex court would succeed. The petition further noted that the Indian Supreme Court is the Constitution’s primary interpretation and defender. The lack of trust and outright disrespect being shown for this nation’s founding principles is revolting. It is clear that the Court’s ability to administer justice is being undercut.
In a subsequent hearing in October 2022, the apex court had granted three weeks’ time period to the petitioner for producing the transcript of this interview where the leader had made the derogatory remarks.
