Monsoon session like 'Vijay Utsav'; PM Modi hails Operation Sindoor
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said Parliament's Monsoon session is like a 'Vijay Utsav' as the Indian armed forces achieved their objectives under Operation Sindoor 100 per cent, and expressed confidence that the MPs will articulate this sentiment in one voice.
The Monsoon session is a 'Vijay Utsav' (victory celebration) as the might of India's military power and capability were manifested in Operation Sindoor, he said.
"In Operation Sindoor, the Indian armed forces achieved the objectives that were laid out 100 per cent. The armed forces under 22 minutes, as part of Operation Sindoor, hit the masters of terrorism in their homes and reduced their hideouts to rubble," Modi said.
"I had said in Bihar that our military prowess had been manifested in a very short span of time. The world has also been drawn to the military capability of 'Made in India'," he said.
Modi expressed confidence that during the Session, the MPs in one voice and with a victorious spirit will articulate these feelings that will strengthen India's military capability, inspire the people, and will also give a boost to the Made in India defence capabilities.
He also said that the brutal massacre in Pahalgam shocked the entire world and drew global attention to terrorism and its epicentre.
Modi also hailed his government's decisive action against naxalism, saying "the red corridors are turning into green growth zones".
"The country has been suffering from violent incidents from the start, be it terrorism or naxalism. But today Naxalism and Maoism are shrinking big time. With the objective of uprooting naxalism, security forces are moving ahead with a new enthusiasm," he said.
"I can say with pride that in the country, numerous districts have come out of the grip of naxalism and are breathing freely. Our Constitution is winning," Modi said.
He also hailed the economic transformation in the last 11 years, saying that when his government took office India was part of the fragile five but was now moving forward towards becoming the third biggest economy.
Referring to astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's space sojourn, Modi said that for the first time, India's tricolour flew at the International Space Station.
"This was a moment of pride for every person in the country. Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will in one voice hail this achievement," he said.
Peace and development is moving ahead shoulder to shoulder in the last decade, Modi said.
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Supreme Court declines fresh curbs on hate speech, says existing laws are enough
New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday refused to issue additional directions to curb hate speech across the country, holding that the existing legal framework is sufficient and that the real issue lies in implementation rather than absence of law.
A Bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta said creation of criminal offences falls within the legislative domain and courts cannot legislate or compel Parliament and state legislatures to enact laws.
The Bench observed that constitutional courts can interpret the law and issue directions for enforcement of fundamental rights, but cannot step into the law-making role.
“At the highest, the court may draw attention to the need for reform. The decision whether and in what manner to legislate remains within the exclusive domain of Parliament and the state legislatures,” the court said.
The court held that the field of hate speech is not legally vacant and said concerns arise mainly from poor enforcement of existing provisions.
It also noted that the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, provides a comprehensive mechanism to set criminal law in motion, meaning there is no legislative vacuum.
Referring to remedies already available under the earlier Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and the BNSS, the court said police are duty-bound to register an FIR when a cognisable offence is disclosed, as laid down in the Lalita Kumari judgment.
It said if police fail to register an FIR, an aggrieved person can approach the Superintendent of Police under Section 154(3) of CrPC or Section 173(4) of BNSS, and thereafter move the magistrate under Section 156(3) CrPC or Section 175 BNSS, or file a private complaint under Section 200 CrPC or Section 223 BNSS.
The Bench further held that an order directing investigation under Section 156(3) CrPC does not amount to taking cognisance under Section 190 CrPC or the corresponding Section 210 of BNSS.
Even while declining fresh directions, the court acknowledged the seriousness of the issue.
It observed that hate speech and rumour-mongering directly affect fraternity, dignity and constitutional order.
The Bench urged legislative authorities to consider whether further policy or legal measures are needed in view of changing social challenges, including suggestions made in the 267th Report of the Law Commission in 2017.
The judgment came in a batch of petitions arising from events dating back to 2020, when multiple pleas were filed over alleged communal narratives spread through television channels and social media.
Among the earliest cases were challenges relating to content described as the “Corona Jihad” campaign and a programme aired by Sudarshan TV titled “UPSC Jihad”. During those proceedings, the court had restrained further telecast of the programme.
Later, more petitions were filed over speeches made at religious gatherings described as “Dharam Sansad” events.
These included pleas moved by journalist Qurban Ali and Major General S.G. Vombatkere seeking action against alleged hate speeches made at such forums.
During the pendency of the matter, the Supreme Court in 2023 had issued major directions asking all states and Union Territories to act proactively in cases involving communal hate speeches or remarks hurting religious sentiments.
It had directed police to register FIRs suo motu, without waiting for formal complaints.
Later, contempt petitions were also filed alleging poor implementation of those earlier directions.
