The Supreme Court on Friday came down heavily on former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Nupur Sharma while hearing her petition to club First Information Reports (FIRs) over derogatory remarks on Prophet Mohammad, reported Live Law.
As per the report, the vacation bench of Justices Surya Kant and JB Pardiwala slammed the former BJP spokesperson for making “disturbing” statements against the Prophet Mohammad on the national television.
It also noted that she tendered a mere “conditional apology”, that too after a public uproar against her remarks. “What is her business to make these remarks?…The way she has ignited emotions across the country… This lady is single handedly responsible for what is happening in the country.”
As her counsel Senior Advocate Maninder Singh pointed to the written apology issued by her, the Court said, “She should have gone to the TV and apologized to the nation…She was too late to withdraw…and too she withdraws conditionally, saying if sentiments hurt.”
The Supreme Court was of the view that merely being the spokesperson of a national political party does not give any person a license to say such disturbing things.
It added, “These are not religious people at all, they make statements to provoke.”
As per Live Law, the Supreme Court also expressed its reservation on Sharma bypassing the lower courts and directly approaching the apex court.
“The petition smacks of her arrogance, that the Magistrates of the country are too small for her. When a FIR is registered and you are not arrested, this shows your clout. She thinks she has back up power and makes irresponsible statements”, the Court said during the hearing.
Justice Kant remarked, “The case of a journalist on expressing rights on a particular issue is on a different pedestal from a spokesperson who is lambasting others with irresponsible statements without thinking of the consequences.”
It refused to entertain the petition and asked Sharma to approach the High Court. “The conscience of the court is not satisfied. You avail other remedies.”
At least 3 FIRs have been lodged against Sharma in Mumbai, Hyderabad and Srinagar. The Calcutta High Court has also sought the State’s response in a PIL to initiate criminal action against her.