Supreme Court declares that Nupur Sharma is single-handedly responsible for what is happening in the country.
The Supreme Court today came down heavily on former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma as it said: “She is single-handedly responsible for what is happening in the country”. Nupur Sharma’s comments on Prophet Mohammed in the middle of the dispute over the Gyanvapi Mosque in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi had triggered a massive fight over the nation.
The Apex Court also said, “Nupur Sharma’s “loose tongue has set the entire country on fire” taking a strong view on her remarks on Prophet Muhammad that sparked a massive row. The Court was hearing a plea by Ms. Sharma to transfer all FIRs filed against her to Delhi.
The BJP took action against her and another party leader – Naveen Jindal – amid controversy over their comments. Several countries – including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait had sent official letters to India over the matter. India, nevertheless, had emphasized that “all religions are equally respected in the country”.
The Apex Court said went on to say, “She should apologize to the whole country…; her outburst is responsible for the unfortunate incident at Udaipur.”
The court further underlined, referring to the beheading of a tailor in the Rajasthan district earlier this week, which had sparked huge tensions. Strict curbs are still placed in Udaipur, which has been a famous tourist destination among tourists in India and abroad.
In her petition, Nupur Sharma stated she had been facing life threats. Earlier, Naveen Jindal too had said he and his family were facing threats.
Here are Five Important Takeaways from the Supreme Court
1. “She faces threats or she has become a security threat? This lady is single-handedly responsible for what is happening in the country,” Justice Surya Kant said after Ms. Sharma’s lawyer said she has been getting threats, and it wouldn’t be safe for her to travel now.
2. “We saw the debate on how she was incited. But the way she said all this and later says she was a lawyer. It is shameful. She should apologize to the whole country,” he said.
3. Pulling up Delhi Police and the TV channel hosting the debate, the bench asked, “What has Delhi police done? Don’t make us open our mouths, what was the TV debate about? Only to fan an agenda? Why did they choose a sub-judice topic?”
4. Questioning the police action in the case, the court said, “When you file FIRs against others, they are immediately arrested but when it’s against you nobody has dared to touch you.”
5. Hitting out at Ms. Sharma further, the Court declared her remarks “show her obstinate and arrogant character”. “So, what if she is the spokesperson of a party? She thinks she has back up of power and can make any statement without respect to the law of the land,” Justice Surya Kant said.
The court has refused her relief and underscored: “When you lodge a complaint against someone that person is arrested but nobody dares to touch you. That shows your clout.”
Fact-checker journalist Mohammad Zubair, who had highlighted Sharma’s comments on Prophet, was recently arrested by the Delhi Police over a tweet he had posted in 2018.
Several states, including Uttar Pradesh, had witnessed protests in the country over the remarks.
But who started the fire? Can Nupur Sharma be blamed solely? Didn’t the fire start much earlier when her leaders were openly making anti-religious statements inciting hatred between communities? Is Nupur the sacrificial scapegoat?