Freedom of speech and expression not a licence to hurt the religious sentiments of others – Lucknow Bench of Allahabad High Court

This statement is a slap on the face of those who hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus in the name of freedom of speech and expression, as well as those who support them.

Lakshmanpuri (Lucknow) – ‘Although the constitution bestows the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression in a secular state, it is not an absolute license to injure and hurt the religious feelings and faiths and beliefs of fellow citizens’. The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court made these observations while rejecting an anticipatory bail plea filed by Md. Nadeem, an active member of Popular Front of India (PFI). The Bench observed that, “A person who takes the risk of dissemination of blasphemous messages is not entitled to get the discretion of the Court exercised in his favour.”

Nadeem has been accused of spreading communal discord in Barabanki by inciting people against the foundation stone laying ceremony for the Shriram Mandir in Ayodhya.