SC comes down heavily on agitations disintegrating country

New Delhi, Mar 14 (UNI) The Supreme Court today came down heavily on those indulging in violent agitations on the issues which have potential to disintegrate the country and said India is one nation and the Constitution has given the right to every citizen to move freely and work for livelihood in any part of the country.

A bench comprising Justices H K Sema and Markandey Katju, while allowing the petitions filed by the Hinsa Virodhak Sangh, also said, "closure of meat shops for nine days in a year for respect for the sentiments of the Jain community in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, cannot be called an unreasonable restrictions on the meat sellers".

Justice Katju, writing the 36-page judgement for the bench, said the architect of modern India was the great Mughal emperor Akbar, who gave equal opportunities and respect to people of all communities and followed policy of Suleh-E-Kul, which means universal tolerance of all religions and communities.

The judgement is seen as a severe indictment by the apex court of the likes of Maharashtra Navanirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray and the current agitation by Rajput community against film Jodhaa-Akbar without naming them.

The apex court also said, "The drafting committee thus clearly attached great importance to the use of term Union as symbol of the determination to maintain the unity of the country." The court expressed serious concern over increasing tendency among politicians to launch agitations on trifling issues for their political gain and said, "these days unfortunately some people are seen to be perpetually on a short fuse, and are willing to protest often violently , about any thing, a book or painting or film on the ground that these hurt their sentiments.

These are dangerous tendencies and must be curbed with an iron hand. We are one nation and there is only one nationality and that is Indian".

The Supreme Court declared that the Constitution of India, which is secular in character is keeping the country united. "Since India is a country of great diversity, it is absolutely essential, if we wish to keep it united we should have respect for all communities and sects.

Thus it is Constitution which is keeping us together. It gives equal respect to all communities".

UNI SC KK RS1725