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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Activists write open letter to Odisha govt flagging anti-Christian violence
New Delhi: Activists and rights campaigners John Dayal, Aakar Patel, Vidya Dinker and Harsh Mander have expressed serious concern over the alleged rise in violence and intimidation against Christians in several districts, accusing both Hindutva organisations and sections of the police of targeting the minority community.
In a strongly worded communication addressed to the state administration, the signatories said they had received disturbing testimonies from affected people regarding social boycott, denial of burial rights, physical assaults and police intimidation.
According to the activists, Christians in some areas were allegedly boycotted by villagers, while people who traded with them, employed them or provided them shelter were also targeted.
The letter also highlighted what it described as “gruesome” incidents involving the prevention of burials of Christians within village burial grounds and even on privately owned lands belonging to Christian families. The activists said there were cases where bodies remained unburied for days due to opposition from local groups, while in some instances burials were allegedly forced to take place in forest areas outside village limits. Funeral prayers were also reportedly disrupted.
The signatories further alleged that in certain districts the violence escalated into physical assaults on Christians. They claimed that some victims were tied to trees and beaten, while others were allegedly placed inside sacks and assaulted. The letter also mentioned a few reported instances of sexual violence and attempts to burn people alive, which, according to them, were stopped at the last moment.
Expressing particular concern, the activists said many victims had testified that police personnel joined hands with Hindutva organisations to force Christians into signing “compromise” agreements. These agreements allegedly required them to give up their faith and stop collective worship.
The letter also accused the police of registering serious criminal cases against victims of attacks instead of taking action against the attackers. According to the signatories, many of those attacked were detained in police stations and jails, while in some cases the police themselves allegedly played a direct role in intimidation and violence against Christians.
Stating that there appeared to be a “complete breakdown in the constitutional machinery of the state” in relation to Christian minorities, the activists urged the administration to uphold and protect the constitutional and religious rights of all citizens without discrimination based on religion, caste or creed.
The letter was signed by John Dayal, Aakar Patel, Vidya Dinker and Harsh Mander.
