Free Speech, not a right to make Derogatory Remarks

Free Speech not a right to make Derogatory Remarks

The HC Bench of Justice Alka Sarin dismissed the bail plea of a Hisar resident booked for controversial posts allegedly hurting religious sentiments & sections of the Scheduled Castes & the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 registered in Hansi area of Hisar on Aug 13. The court also said that free speech never entitles a person to make derogatory remarks against anyone be it person or community.

The HC bench said that- “The Court is refraining itself from commenting on the nature of the posts made by the petitioner herein at this stage. Suffice it to say that freedom of speech does not entitle a person to make derogatory remarks/posts against any community or gender.”

The petitioner in the case Vijender Kumar pleaded that no charges of hurting religious sentiments were made out and also that he is in custody since September. And so he be granted bail.

The complaint made against him was about making insulting and making objectionalble comments on social media posts of Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar by Savita Kajal & Kuldeep Bhukkal. The accused is also accused of using and making filthy comments and statements on women of Schedule castes and muslim women. And the photocopy evidence of his comments was also produced.

The court in the case looking at photocopies observed that the comments were not only insulting and derogatory but made to hurt religious sentiments of other communities.