Hate speech: Immediate action to be taken against culprits, says Ludhiana top cop

Nikhil Bhardwaj

Ludhiana, July 7

After the incident in which Shiv Sena leader Sandeep Thapar, alias Gora Thapar, was attacked by Nihangs for allegedly speaking against hardliners and militant leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, the Ludhiana police issued strict orders to prevent spreading of hate speech against any religion or community.

In orders issued by Commissioner of Police (CP) Kuldeep Singh Chahal said, “I warned the public that any person who hurts religious sentiments of any other person, through social, electronic or print media cannot be tolerated and immediate and stern action will be taken in such cases as per law”.

The CP said main duty of the police was to maintain law and order in the district. Any kind of hooliganism would not be tolerated and strict action be taken.

The top cop said the issued orders were not for any particular community or religion, it was for any person whosoever make hate speech against any religion or community. The cyber team of the police would keep a tab over such posts on social media and personal accounts of people. If anyone lodges any complaint regarding hate speech, the police would verify the same and case would be registered against the person concerned.

Chahal said earlier also, the police had taken action in such matters but now immediate action would follow.

A few months ago, the Ludhiana police had nabbed Dr Gurinder Singh Ranghreta, a Sikh activist from the Mazhabi Sikh community, for allegedly making derogatory and abusive remarks against a woman from the Jat Sikh community. The comments were allegedly made against the daughter of a former policeman who had filed the complaint.

Cyber team to keep a tab on social media posts

CP Kuldeep Singh Chahal said the cyber team of the police will keep a tab over posts hurting religious sentiments on social media and personal accounts of people. If anyone lodges any complaint regarding hate speech, the police will verify the same and a case would be registered against the person concerned.