SC urges sensitisation against jokes on Sikhs, Sardars, labels it an "important issue"
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has called for increased awareness to prevent offensive jokes targeting Sikhs and Sardars. A bench comprising Justices Bhushan R Gavai and KV Viswanathan, while hearing a 2015 Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Sikh lawyer Harvinder Chowdhury, emphasised the need for sensitisation, particularly among children, to address the issue.
The PIL argues that such jokes violate the Sikh community’s constitutional right to equality and dignity. Chowdhury urged the court to direct the government to remove these jokes from websites and social media platforms, highlighting their impact on the community’s self-respect and social standing. She also shared personal experiences of humiliation due to her identity and expressed concern over bullying faced by Sikh children in schools.
During Thursday's hearing, the bench sought actionable suggestions from Chowdhury and the Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC), which is supporting the petition. It assured that these recommendations would be reviewed to determine the judiciary's role in implementing solutions.
The PIL also proposed financial penalties for individuals circulating offensive content, suggesting that compensation be deposited into the National Legal Aid Fund. Chowdhury revealed that her own children were hesitant to retain their Sikh surnames due to fear of ridicule.
The case, resumed after a seven-year hiatus, faced earlier challenges regarding the regulation of humour and societal behaviour. In 2017, the court raised concerns about the feasibility of framing community-specific guidelines. However, the current bench has expressed its intent to explore practical measures within enforceable limits.
The matter will be heard again in six weeks.
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Cristiano Ronaldo scores his 100th Saudi Pro League goal
Riyadh (AP): Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 100th Saudi Pro League goal as Al-Nassr beat Al-Shabab 4-2 to move five points clear at the top of the table.
The 41-year-old forward converted a Sadio Mané cross at the near post with 15 minutes remaining to record the 971st goal of his career on Thursday. It was also his 26th league goal of the season.
“Ronaldo is always dangerous going forward and we saw that again today,” Al-Nassr coach Jorge Jesus said.
João Félix, signed from Chelsea in July, scored three goals for the league leaders.
The win took Al-Nassr to 82 points from 32 games, five ahead of Al-Hilal, which has three matches, one more than Nassr, left to play. Al-Hilal meets Al-Kholood on Friday and faces Nassr on Tuesday in what could be a title decider against its Riyadh rival.
“Now we have a derby match against our rival, which is a difficult encounter,” Jesus said.
“We are fully aware of its importance, and we are dealing with it with complete focus as we know that small details could decide the result.”
Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d'Or winner, has yet to secure a major trophy in Saudi Arabia since signing with Al-Nassr in December 2022.
