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The Bombay High Court has taken a proactive stance in addressing allegations of hate speeches delivered by several MLAs, including Nitish Rane, Geeta Jain, and T Raja. On Monday, the court directed the Police Commissioners of Mumbai and Mira Bhayandar to personally review recordings and transcripts of the alleged speeches and decide whether to register FIRs.
A division bench comprising Justice Revati Mohite-Dere and Manjusha Deshpande issued these directives while hearing a petition filed by five residents of Mumbai and Mira Road. The petitioners sought action against the MLAs for purportedly delivering hate speeches in various locations in January, including Mira Road, Govandi, Ghatkopar, and Malvani.
Expressing concern over potential communal disharmony and law and order issues, the court also instructed the police to take preventive measures to ensure peace during Ram Navmi celebrations on April 17.
During the proceedings, the bench emphasized the importance of timely action against those violating the law, asserting that failure to do so could erode public trust in law enforcement agencies. The petitioners’ advocates, Gayatri Singh, Vijay Hiremath, and Hamza Lakdawala, alleged that Nitish Rane was allowed to use the press room and the office of the Commissioner of Police, MBVV, on January 23, raising further questions about police conduct.
However, the Public Prosecutor, Hiten Venegaokar, representing the State, opposed the plea, highlighting the absence of the MLAs as respondents in the petition.
Referring to Supreme Court judgments from 2022 and 2023, the petitioners underscored the imperative for state authorities to take suo motu action against hate speech to uphold India’s secular character. They cited incidents of unrest in Mira Road on January 19 and 21, where hateful slogans were chanted by a large mob.
Additionally, the petition highlighted rallies addressed by Rane, Jain, and Raja between January and March this year, alleging the delivery of hateful speeches.
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