Hate speech antithetical to constitutional value, says Supreme Court, seeks Tamil Nadu's reply on Udhayanidhi speech

NEW DELHI: With many public figures and holders of constitutional posts making statements with communal and caste overtones, the Supreme Court has appealed to them to maintain restraint in public discourse and said that hate speech strikes at the very root of fraternity, plurality and multiculturalism in the country.

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta said hate speech stems from a perception of difference that breeds exclusion, where the "other" is viewed as alien, inferior or undeserving of equal regard.

"... Hate speech is fundamentally antithetical to the constitutional value of fraternity and strikes at the moral fabric of our Republic..." the court said.

While the court disposed of various contempt pleas in cases of hate speech, given that steps had been taken by the authorities, it sought a response from Tamil Nadu govt on the hate speech allegedly made by its deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin. "Speech that is designed to... promote hatred between communities or disturb public tranquility corrodes foundational values of democracy," it said.