SC asks petitioners against Ghaziabad ‘Dharam Sansad’ to seek urgent listing

The Supreme Court on 16 December, Monday, asked some former bureaucrats and social activists to send an email seeking urgent listing after they moved a plea against a 'Dharam Sansad' in Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad, alleging a call was issued for the "genocide of Muslims" in connection with the function.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar was told by lawyer Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the former bureaucrats, that the plea needed urgent listing.

"I will consider. Please send an email," CJI Khanna said.

Bhushan said an open call for the genocide of Muslims had been made and the plea needed urgent hearing as the 'Dharam Sansad' would be commencing on Tuesday, 17 December.

The 'Dharam Sansad' called by the Yati Narsinghanand Foundation is proposed to be held from 17 to 21 December at the Shiv–Shakti temple complex in Ghaziabad's Dasna.

Activists and former bureaucrats have moved a contempt petition against the Ghaziabad district administration and the Uttar Pradesh Police for their "willful and deliberate contempt" of the orders of the top court.

In the orders in question, the top court had directed all competent and appropriate authorities to take suo motu action against individuals or groups indulging in communal activities and hate speech.

The petitioners include activist Aruna Roy, retired IAS officer Ashok Kumar Sharma, former IFS officers Deb Mukarji and Navrekha Sharma, and others.

An earlier 'Dharam Sansad' in Uttarakhand's Haridwar courted controversy due to the free flow of alleged hate speech. Criminal prosecution was initiated against several persons, including Yati Narsinghanand and others, in that connection.