1 hr ago
Supreme Court Declines Plea Seeking Removal of ‘Anti-National’ Posts
A petitioner asked India’s Supreme Court to order the government and social media companies to remove posts he called anti-national.
He was concerned about slogans, speeches, memes and messages shared online.
He said some content could harm national unity, communal harmony and the work of constitutional institutions.
The petition named platforms including X, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and WhatsApp.
The case was heard by a three-judge bench.
The judges decided not to hear the petition.
They also refused to combine it with another social-media case.
The Chief Justice said the petitioner could use other legal options.
The Supreme Court declined to entertain a public interest litigation seeking removal of alleged anti-national posts and memes.
The petition asked the Centre and social media platforms to identify, remove and block such content.
Petitioner Hitendra Kumar Parsottambhai Gadhiya alleged the posts threatened sovereignty, communal harmony and national integrity.
The bench also refused to tag the petition with another pending plea on social media content.
The Chief Justice told the petitioner that alternate legal remedies could be pursued.
- Who
- The Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant considered a petition filed by Ahmedabad-based petitioner Hitendra Kumar Parsottambhai Gadhiya through lawyer Barun Sinha.
- What
- The court declined to entertain a plea seeking directions to the Centre and social media platforms to identify, remove and block alleged anti-national posts and memes.
- Where
- The matter was heard by the Supreme Court in New Delhi.
- When
- The decision was issued on Wednesday.
- Why
- The petitioner sought action against online slogans, speeches, memes and messages he alleged could threaten sovereignty, communal harmony, national integrity and judicial independence.
Petitioner’s Position
Supreme Court’s Position
Online content
Petitioner’s Position
The petitioner argued that alleged anti-national slogans, speeches, memes and fake messages should be identified, removed and blocked because they could threaten national integrity and communal harmony.
Supreme Court’s Position
The court declined to entertain the petition and directed the petitioner toward alternate remedies.
Link to another case
Petitioner’s Position
The petitioner sought action in a matter that also referred to broader concerns about social-media content.
Supreme Court’s Position
The court declined to tag the petition with another pending plea concerning social-media content.
Key facts
- Court decision
- The Supreme Court declined to entertain the public interest litigation.
- Petitioner
- Hitendra Kumar Parsottambhai Gadhiya of Ahmedabad
- Bench
- Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana
- Requested action
- Identification, removal and blocking of alleged anti-national posts and memes
- Platforms named
- X, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and WhatsApp
- Government respondents
- The Union home ministry and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
- Alternative remedy
- The Chief Justice said the petitioner could pursue alternate remedies.
Quotes
Surya Kant
Chief Justice of India and member of the Supreme Court bench hearing the petition
“You can pursue your alternate remedies.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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