CJI cites Jan 26 internet shutdown as 'preventive measure' amid Tablighi hearing

The Supreme Court while hearing a Jamiat UlemaeHind petition against fake and motivated news during the Nizammuddin Markaz incident cited the Internet ban as a preventive measure to contain violence taken by the authorities during farmers protest in Delhi on January 26A bench headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde emphasized that at some point in time the government has to control news and cited the shutting down of Internet in various parts of the capital following violence on streets on Republic DayThe Chief Justice said the government shut down the Internet over mobile because of the farmers visit to Delhi and so couldnt it do the same when it finds certain news channel indulging in bad reporting which may lead to violence or targeting a certain communityIm using the non controversial term You have shut down internet mobileThese are problems that can arise anywhere said the Chief JusticeSolicitor General Tushar Mehta representing the Centre objected to the word visit used by the Chief JusticeTo which Chief Justice replied that he deliberately was using a noncontroversial wordAfter making this reference to the January 26 incident when farmers rampaged through the national capital the top court got back to the hearing on the matter in hand in which various petitioners had objected to the motivated reporting by various media houses against the Muslim community post the Markaz incident that was regarded as a superspreader of Covid in March 2020The Chief Justice emphasized that fair and truthful reporting is normally not a problem but the problem begins when it is used to agitate others and target a particular communityThe Chief Justice stressed that controlling the flow of information which may cause damage is extremely important and it should be done through preventive measuresIts as important as providing lathis to policemenand deploying barricades Its an important preventive part of the law and order situation said the Chief Justice drawing an analogyThe top court said that the government is not doing its bit to control new channels showing programs which instigate a communityThere are programs which instigated or impacted a community But as a government you do nothing the Chief Justice told MehtaThe Chief Justice also told Mehta Control over some news is as important as some preventive measure and check law and order situation I dont know why you are blind to this I dont mean anything offensive but you are doing nothing about itThe court has posted the matter for further hearing after three weeksJamiat and others have moved the top court citing bad reporting by various media houses which demonized the Muslim community in the backdrop of the Nizamuddin Markaz incidentThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever