India Is Not A Monolith, Indians Have Different Views On Different Issues And Are Entitled To Air Their Views: Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday said that India is not a monolith and lots of Indians have different views on different issues, while asking defence analyst Abhijit Iyer Mitra to not arrogate to himself the responsibility of airing Indian point of view on India-China border tensions.

"Each one of them (Indians) is entitled to air their views, including you," said Justice Prateek Jalan, while hearing Mitra's suit against blocking of access to his Twitter handle. 

The court made the observation after the counsel representing Awasthi prayed for an order in favour of Iyer in view of tensions on Tawang border with China. Iyer's counsel argued that since he is a defence analyst, it is important that he airs his views so that "Indian point of view" also is expressed.

"Of course you're entitled to air your views but your view is not necessarily the Indian point of view. You can air your view but please don't arrogate to yourself the responsibility of airing the Indian point of view," said Justice Jalan

When the counsel said "my point of view is mostly in favour of what our point of view is...", the court said:

"India is not a monolith. Lots of Indians have different views on different issues. Each one of them is entitled to air their views, including you."

The court also said it doesn't have a problem with people's critical view about judiciary. "You're entitled to have your views about our judiciary so long as they are bona fide and they are expressed in a manner that is respectful and not contumacious," it added.

Read Also: 'Will Have To Justify His Act; If These Are Your Views Then Why Are You Before Us?': Delhi High Court To Abhijit Iyer Mitra