The court also directed all concerned parties to refrain from participating in social media and television debates on the issue.
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — The mahapanchayat in Purola town planned by some Hindutva outfits on Thursday has been called off, the state government informed the Uttarakhand High Court.
The proposed Mahapanchayat led to a public interest litigation (PIL) petition before the high court on concerns that it would stoke communal tensions in the state.
Upon being informed that the event has been being called off, a division bench of Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Rakesh Thapliyal orally told the state counsel: “We appreciate this step. But you still must maintain peace.”
The court also sought a detailed response from the state government on the issue within three weeks, media reports said.
During Wednesday’s hearing, advocate Shahrukh Alam, appearing for the petitioner, argued that the narrative seeking the removal of certain communities from the area has been replicated and multiplied in public rallies, social media, and some TV channels.
“The DM (district magistrate), in not taking action, is in breach of the Supreme Court’s direction and sections of the IPC and UAPA. It’s a threat to unity and harmony”, the lawyer further submitted.
In fact, Alam drew attention to a Muslim mahapanchayat scheduled for later this week, stating that both events could lead to immediate physical violence and needed to be addressed.
She also sought a direction from the court to the state to register First Information Reports (FIRs) against those who made calls leading to potential communal tensions, reports said.
However, the court refused to entertain this prayer, reasoning that such a direction would put undue influence on the concerned statutory authorities and courts.
But, the bench emphasised that it was the state’s paramount duty to ensure that law and order, and peace is maintained and that there is no loss of life and property of any person.
“We direct respondents to take whatever steps necessary to fulfill this constitutional obligation,” the court stated.
All concerned parties were also directed to refrain from participating in social media and television debates on the issue, with a view to normalise the situation.
“We would not like a flare-up on social media of allegations and counter-allegations. Or debates on television,” the bench remarked orally.
The petition before the high court was filed by the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) on Wednesday.
According to reports, tensions escalated in the state after two youths, one Hindu and other Muslim, were accused of abducting a minor Hindu girl.
The incident happened on May 26 and on the same day, the accused were sent to custody. The police have invoked various sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO Act) against the accused.
