Supreme Court: The Supreme Court on Thursday (March 7) dismissed the FIR lodged against a professor for his WhatsApp status criticizing the abrogation of Article 370. The court said that every citizen has the right to criticize any decision of the government. During the hearing on the case, important comments were also made by the Supreme Court regarding freedom of speech.
The apex court, setting aside an order of the Bombay High Court, dismissed the case registered against Professor Javed Ahmed Hazam under section 153A (promoting communal disharmony) of the Indian Penal Code. Maharashtra Police had filed an FIR against Hazam at Hatkanangle police station in Kolhapur for posting a WhatsApp message regarding the abrogation of Article 370.
What did the professor write on the status?
Hazam had allegedly written in the WhatsApp message ‘5th August – Black Day Jammu and Kashmir’ and ’14th August – Happy Independence Day Pakistan.’ The professor was criticized for this. A case was registered against him for doing so.
Supreme Court said- It is not wrong to wish good wishes to Pakistani citizens
The top court also said that every citizen has the right to wish the citizens of other countries on their Independence Day. The court said that if an Indian citizen wishes Pakistani citizens on August 14, then there is nothing wrong in it.
Justice Abhay S. A bench of Justice Oka and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan said, ‘The Constitution of India, under Article 19(1)(A), guarantees freedom of speech and expression. Under the said guarantee, every citizen has the right to criticize every decision of the government, including the abrogation of Article 370. He has the right to say that he is unhappy with any decision of the government.
The Supreme Court said that every citizen of India has the right to criticize the abrogation of Article 370 and the change in the status of Jammu and Kashmir.
