The Supreme Court today raised critical questions regarding the legality of chanting Jai Shri Ram slogans inside a mosque, following a petition filed over an incident in Karnataka. The petition challenged the Karnataka High Court’s ruling that deemed chanting such slogans inside a mosque did not violate religious sentiments.
A bench of Justices Pankaj Mithal and Sandeep Mehta questioned the Karnataka government on several aspects, including:
– Whether chanting Jai Shri Ram slogans in a mosque constitutes a criminal offense.
– The methods used to identify the individuals involved in raising the slogans.
– Whether there is any supporting evidence, such as CCTV footage, to substantiate the claims.
The petition was filed after two individuals reportedly raised Jai Shri Ram slogans inside a mosque in the Dakshin Kannada district last year, allegedly intimidating those present. In response, the Karnataka High Court had previously ruled that such actions did not offend religious sentiments. However, the petition in the Supreme Court sought to challenge this decision.
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Incident Background
The incident in question occurred last year when two young men entered a mosque and raised the slogans, which led to allegations that they had intimidated the Muslim community members present. The police subsequently arrested the accused and charged them under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Section 295A (Actions that insult religious sentiments), Section 447 (Criminal Trespass), and Section 506 (Criminal Intimidation).
The Supreme Court’s examination of this case highlights the ongoing legal and societal challenges surrounding communal sensitivities and the rights to religious expression in India. The Court has also directed that a copy of the complaint be forwarded to the state government, as the Karnataka government has not yet filed an appeal against the High Court’s decision.
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