The Karnataka High Court dismissed a petition seeking action against several state Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) leaders, including Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje, MP Tejaswi Surya, Legislative Assembly Member Basan Gowda Patil Yatnal, and MLC CT Ravi, for alleged hate speech. The division bench, headed by Chief Justice NV Anjaria and Justice KV Arvind, ruled that the petition could not be considered a Public Interest Litigation (PIL).
The PIL was filed by Mohammad Khalimullah of Nagamangala taluk in Mandya district. The court noted that the petition appeared to have other motives beyond public interest, suggesting it might be driven by political or communal agendas. The bench remarked that a petition with such intentions cannot be entertained as a genuine PIL. However, they decided against imposing a penalty on the petitioner.
Mohammad Anwar, the advocate representing the petitioner, argued that the hate speeches made by the BJP leaders were widely reported in the media and on social media. He claimed that these speeches targeted a specific community and that no action had been taken despite requests to the authorities. Anwar cited a directive from the Supreme Court, mentioned by activist Tehseen Poonawala, which mandates action against those who deliver communal hate speeches.
During the hearing, the bench questioned Anwar about the petitioner’s profession. Anwar hesitated to respond and requested an adjournment due to the absence of the senior advocate scheduled to argue the case. It was eventually revealed that petitioner Khalimullah is a civil contractor and social worker.
The bench criticised the petition, questioning why the High Court’s platform was being misused for filing what they deemed frivolous petitions. The court expressed frustration with the lack of clarity regarding the petitioner’s background and intentions, questioning the legitimacy of the civil contractor’s involvement in the matter.
The petition named several prominent BJP leaders, including Union Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje, MP Tejaswi Surya, MLA Basanagowda Patil Yatnal, Parishad Member CT Ravi, former MLA MP Renukacharya, former MP Pratap Simha, Sri Ram Sena Chief Pramod Muthalik, and NAMO Brigade Chief Chakravarty Sulibele. The petitioner demanded action against these leaders, as well as against officials who allegedly failed to act according to the Tehseen Poonawala guidelines, which address hate speech.
Additionally, the petitioner sought orders for the State Government to create awareness through the media about the consequences of hate speech, mob violence, and gang murder. He called for the police to take proactive action against hate speech and for the designation of specific courts at the district level to handle hate speech cases expeditiously, completing them within six months.
Despite the detailed demands, the High Court concluded that the petition did not meet the criteria for a PIL and dismissed it, underscoring the need for genuine public interest in such filings.
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