[Ram Navami Violence 2024] Calcutta High Court Calls For NIA's Report, Restricts Comments Over Murshidabad's Religious Demographic Over Alleged Hate Speech

The Calcutta High Court has issued an order restricting any political statements on the demographic of the Murshidabad area, and its religious composition by any person, organisation or political party over allegations that an elected representative of the area had attempted to incite violence between Hindus and Muslims.

A division bench of Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya also noted the NIA's submission that it would take some more time to compile a report and flagged the issue of bombs being used during the riots that ensued.

The Court stated: From a perusal of the report it is seen that explosives were used in many cases. Let's give them (NIA) some reasonable time to file their report The NIA shall also take note of the reports which mention that bombs have been used in many cases. If that is so, FIRs which have been registered should be transferred to the central agency in cases where a scheduled offence is involved. All these points shall be examined and a report shall be filed by the NIA on the next hearing date. 

Counsel appearing for one of the petitioners alerted the court that an elected representative of the Murshidabad area had indulged in hate speech by attempting to incite violence between the Hindus and Muslims of the area by using the area's population demographic.

Accordingly, in noting this submission, the Court held that "since the probe is ongoing, there will be a prohibition on any person or political party making comments on the demographic of the area or the statistics regarding the population and religion which they belong to."

Accordingly, the plea was adjourned.