New Delhi/Chandigarh, 22 Nov. 24: The Supreme Court announced it would take up a petition in eight weeks that seeks to ban websites hosting jokes that portray the Sikh community negatively. The petition, filed by advocate Harvinder Chowdhury, argues that such jokes perpetuate harmful stereotypes and infringe on the Sikh community’s dignity.
“This is an important matter,” remarked a bench comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and K.V. Viswanathan. The bench asked Chowdhury to compile a summary of her submissions and those of other stakeholders for easier review. “Prepare a small compilation so it becomes easier to go through it. You already have the suggestions, consolidate them,” Justice Gavai instructed.
Chowdhury brought attention to the impact of these jokes on Sikh women and children, citing instances of ridicule over traditional attire and school bullying. She highlighted a case where a Sikh boy reportedly died by suicide after being bullied, underscoring the prevalence of both physical and virtual harassment faced by Sikh individuals.
The petition, originally admitted by the apex court in October 2015, alleges that approximately 5,000 websites host jokes that demean Sikhs, violating their fundamental right to live with dignity. Chowdhury called for a ban on such websites to curb the spread of derogatory content.
Additionally, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has previously urged the Supreme Court to expand the definition of ragging to include “racial slurs” and “racial profiling.” The SGPC argues that this would help prevent Sikh students from being targeted in educational institutions.
The case highlights broader issues of online content regulation and societal discrimination, with the court emphasizing the significance of the matter.
