Supreme Court to pass formal order on jokes on Sikhs case today

A petitioner had in 2015 urged for directions to ban websites spreading jokes on Sikhs

The Supreme Court is likely to pass a formal order on a petition seeking a ban on websites carrying jokes on Sikhs on Monday.

A petitioner, Harvinder Chowdhary, had in 2015 urged for directions to ban websites spreading jokes on Sikhs, saying that the community was projected as people of low intellect, stupid and foolish with such jokes.

An apex court bench of Justice T.S. Thakur and Justice V Gopala Gowda had then asked her why she wanted such a ban as 'this (Sikh) community is known for a great sense of humour and they also enjoy such jokes'.

Chowdhury, a practicing advocate, had then said that whenever she travelled in public transport, including the Delhi metro, she came across instances where even on trivial issues people were ridiculed while citing jokes relating of the Sikh community.

In February 2017, the apex court had ruled out any blanket ban on 'Sardar jokes' saying that judiciary could not lay down moral guidelines for citizens.

"Courts cannot lay down moral guidelines for citizens. Although Fundamental Duties are part of the constitutions and people must have respect but how can court pass order on such issues," a bench of Justices Dipak Misra and R Banumathi had said.

Chowdhury then reportedly said, "There are more than 5,000 websites which spread jokes on Sardars projecting Sikhs as unintelligent, stupid, idiot, foolish, naive and not well-versed in English... It amounts to violation of the fundamental right to life and to live with dignity, as guaranteed under the Constitution."

[SC to hear plea to ban websites with jokes on Sikhs]

The court had also said that even if a law is passed, how is it going to be implemented and expressed apprehension as to how practical it would be to ensure the law is not violated.

After a brief hearing, the bench adjourned the hearing and posted the case for March 27 to pass a formal order.

OneIndia News