New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India has ruled that it is not a crime to call someone a ‘Pakistani’, but these words are not considered good.
In India, many right-wing extremists refer to Muslims as “Pakistanis” to question their patriotism, but the court has made it clear that this is not a criminal act.
A person who calls a public servant ‘Pakistani’ and ‘Mian Tian’ cannot be punished as these words neither amount to criminal intimidation nor amount to assault on anyone, the court ruled in a case in Jharkhand.
Legal experts have criticized the court’s decision, saying that this decision can make an unnecessary difference between hate speech and unwanted statements. Experts say the decision could further embolden right-wing extremists.
The case was registered on the complaint of an Urdu translator and public servant in Chas area of Jharkhand.
