The Supreme Court on Tuesday repeated its calls to prepare guidelines for social media users, which balance the freedom and expression of speech with rights and duties.
A bench of Justice Surya Kant and Joymlya Bagchi said that it heard a petition by M/SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy) Cure Foundation. YouTubers accusing Samay RainaInsensitive jokes with Vipul Goyal, Balraj Paramjit Singh Gai, Sonali Thakar and Nishant Jagdish Tanwar Disabled persons (PWD).
During the last hearing, complying with the direction of the court, appeared before the bench on five Tuesdays.
The Supreme Court gave him two weeks to file a counter-survival and directed everyone except Sonali Thakkar to re-appear before the bench on the next date of hearing. Thakkar is allowed to appear online.
“Number of respondents 6–10 is present in the court in compliance with our order. He is looking for a lawyer and he is given two weeks to register counter-affection … No time will be given further … The respondent will be present in the person on 6-8 and 10 next date.
Justice Kant said, “Investigation of personal misconduct, which is under investigation, will be continued. (SMA Cure) Foundation has raised serious issues. Something very disturbing.”
The court has also seized two other petitions by YouTubers Ranveer Allahabadia and Ashish Chanchala, which is for clubbing the FIR filed against him in connection with the alleged objectionable comments in the show ‘India’s Got Latant’.
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In May, the court, while hearing the Allahabadia’s petition, identified the need to implement the rules for the use of social media to club to the FIR against it. It also sought assistance of Attorney General R Venkatarmani and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta in this case.
On Tuesday, the Attorney General sought more time to assist the court.
He said that the question of his introduction would have to be considered.
Permission for the request, Justice Kant said, “We want to test the guidelines … You have guidelines that suit constitutional principles, both parts include-where the limit of that freedom ends, and where duties begin … We want to invite open debate on it … Bar, Stecholds and all so much collectors.”
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He demanded an emphasis on Article 21, which relates to the right to life and freedom, will be strong on Article 19, which is related to the freedom of speech and expression.
Justice Kant said, “The right to dignity also comes out of the right that someone else is claiming … Article 19 cannot dominate Article 21 … Article 21 should be strong if there is a competition.”
He also pointed out the need to ensure that the guidelines are not misused. Justice Kant remarked, “What we are doing is for the postor. What we do should not be misused, you must also ensure. There should be a balance. We have to protect the rights of citizens.”
Apologies before NCW
YouTuber Samay Raina appeared before the National Commission for Women (NCW) on Tuesday and presented a written apology to his show ‘India’s Got Letnant’ on comments being deemed to be derogatory towards women. NCW called Raina on objectionable materials at an online platform a broadcast on an online platform. During the hearing before NCW Chairman Vijay Rahatkar, Raina regretted his comments and assured the Commission that he would avoid such statement in future, according to a statement.
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NCW’s statement said that she also agreed to increase the dignity of women and create awareness about their rights and respect.
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