New Delhi: The honourable Supreme Court of India is set to hear the plea of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee- SGPC along with the other petitions, where a ban is sought to be imposed on circulation of the jokes about the Sikh Community.
This matter is pending before the Apex Court’s concerned bench comprising of Chief Justice of India- T. S. Thakur and Jutice U. U. Lalit. And now the bench has decided that the fresh plea as preferred by the SGPC would be tagged along with the other pending petitions on the issue and all of them will be heard simultaneously/ together on 5th day of April. Moreover, while brief hearing in the court, the Bench found asking the representing advocate for SGPC- Satingder Singh Gulati that to point out the areas where sub- judicial orders can be passed.
Court, further says that it will “certainly” look into it, “if entire community is feeling harassed”. Moreover, it is also stated by the bench that it may pass some orders “if circulation of such jokes is being commercially exploited”.
Advocate- Gulati in this connection said that “A stereotype has been created” and the community people are being discriminated in the society because of the particular language and their religion. On the request from the Bench, the Counsel is to give suggestions and also the bench has assured advocate that it will certainly consider the issue.
It was also seen earlier that the Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee- DSGMC has also moved apex Court against the jokes making on Sikhs, and the Apex Court observed therein that there was a need for sensitising the society from the formative stages.
The plea which was sought by DSGMC is also pending before the Court. Moreover, in the plea of DSGMC, they have also sought directions against the Telecom Ministry to filter websites which targeted the Sikh community on the ground that it was violative of Section 153A and Section 153B of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. Also another PIL is pending before the Apex court is from the Woman lawyer Harivinder Chowdhary, on the similar issue.
