On Monday while addressing this case Supreme Court emphasized that the case should act as “a reminder to those in positions of power and influence” to be mindful, as their “words and deeds have a wider reach and impact on the citizenry of this country.”
The Supreme Court on Monday has put a pause on the criminal proceedings against Tamil Nadu BJP Chief K. Annamalai, which were initiated following accusations of hate speech. This decision comes after the Madras High Court, earlier in February, declined to dismiss the criminal charges against Annamalai, prompting him to seek relief from the apex court.
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Annamalai found himself embroiled in controversy following a YouTube interview where he alleged,
“it was a Christian missionary NGO that had filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking ban on bursting of firecrackers during Diwali.”
The High Court’s Justice N Anand Venkatesh, in dismissing Annamalai’s petition for quashing the proceedings, emphasized that the case should act as “a reminder to those in positions of power and influence” to be mindful, as their “words and deeds have a wider reach and impact on the citizenry of this country.” The court accused Annamalai of exploiting an environmental petition to incite “communal tension.”
Justice Venkatesh also highlighted the need to reassess the definition of hate speech in the era of social media. The complaint against Annamalai was lodged by social activist V Piyush, based on an interview given to a YouTube channel on October 22, 2022, just days before Diwali. In this interview, Annamalai was accused of “lying” about a missionary NGO’s involvement in filing a case against Diwali firecrackers, an act interpreted as deliberately stirring communal discord among Christians.
Following the complaint, the Salem magistrate court took note and summoned Annamalai, leading him to challenge the summons in the High Court. Despite the High Court’s decision to proceed with the case, the Supreme Court’s recent intervention has temporarily halted the trial court’s proceedings, marking a pivotal moment in this ongoing legal battle.
CASE DETAILS
Case title- K Annamalai vs V Piyush
Appeared for Annamalai – Senior Advocate Sidharth Luthra with advocate J Sai Deepak