NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday refused to restrain the media from reporting on alleged role of Tablighi Jamaat congregation at its Nizamuddin Markaz in the capital in spreading COVID-19 in the country.
“We will not gag the press,” a three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde told the counsel for Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind which alleged that a section of the media was spreading bigotry and communal hatred by linking the spread of coronavirus with the recent Nizamuddin Markaz incident.
While hearing the matter via video conferencing, the top court asked Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind to make the Press Council of India (PCI) a party to the case.
Refusing to pass any interim order at this stage, the Bench posted the matter for hearing after two weeks.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind—an Islamic body in India—had on April 6 moved the Supreme Court seeking directions to the government and media not to demonize entire Muslim community over spread of COVID-19 due to Nizamuddin Markaz congregation of Tablighi Jamat.
In its petition, Jamiat Ulma-e-Hind urged the top court to prevent communalisation of the Nizamuddin Markaz issue by certain section of print and electronic media.
It has led to demonising the entire Muslim community in India, resulting into threat to their right to life and liberty—a fundamental right guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution, the petitioner contended.
It alleged that by not taking action to maintain communal harmony “in such a critically sensitive time”, the Centre has failed in discharging its constitutional duty.
The petition accused various TV channels and newspapers of presenting the information relating to the incident in a “twisted manner”, inciting hatred against the entire Muslim community at large.
The TV news channels and social media were replete with phrases such as “Corona Jihad” and “Corona Terrorism” to describe the Nizamuddin Markaz incident, the petition submitted.
It said social media platforms were full of misinformation and fake news on the issue with communal tone and conspiracy theories that Tablighi Jamaat deliberately tried to spread Corona virus across India.
Contending that it violated Norms of Journalistic Conduct issues by the Press Council of India, the petitioner urged the top court to direct the Centre to stop communalisation of the Nizamuddin Markaz incident and take action against those disseminating fake news on the issue.