Constitution does not allow insulting any community through artistic forms or speeches: Supreme Court

New Delhi: The Supreme Court stated that the Constitution does not allow insulting any community through artistic forms or speeches. Justice Ujjal Bhuyan also directed that ministers should not target any specific community.

This observation came while disposing of petitions against the Netflix film 'Ghooshkhor Pandit'. Notably, Justice Bhuyan's remark assumes significance amid Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's repeated hate speeches against Miya Muslims.

Justice Ujjal Bhuyan stated that the Constitution does not permit anyone—whether government officials or private individuals—to insult or portray any community as villains through speeches, memes, cartoons, or other art forms. The court directed that public figures like ministers, holding high constitutional positions, must not target any community based on religion, caste, language, or region.

A bench comprising Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and B.V. Nagarathna considered the petition against the film. The court clarified that since the filmmakers agreed to change the title 'Ghooshkhor Pandit', the case stands disposed of.

Justice Bhuyan stated that fraternity—promoting unity and brotherhood beyond religious, linguistic, and regional diversity—is one of the Constitution's basic objectives and the guiding principle of its Preamble. The court emphasized that promoting unity and fraternity is the fundamental duty of every citizen.

During petition arguments, the court observed that 'Ghooshkhor Pandit' translates to "corrupt priest" and insults a community. At the same time, it underlined that filmmakers enjoy constitutional freedoms of speech and expression. Justice Bhuyan opined that artistic expressions—including cinema and satire—play a major role in democratic discourse and cannot be suppressed merely because some object to them.