SC again pulls up Centre over Tabligh Jamaat communalisation matter
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New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday expressed strong disapproval over the Union Government's response to a notice issued to it in Tabligh Jamaat Communalisation matter.
The Court was considering a batch of petitions alleging biased and communal reporting of the Tabligh Jamaat congregation which was portrayed as responsible for Covid 19 pandemic.
A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India, SA Bobde stated that the court is not satisfied with the affidavit submitted by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
"We are not satisfied with your affidavit. We had asked you to tell us what have you done under the Cable TV Act? There is no whisper about that in the affidavit. We must tell you that we are disappointed with the Union's affidavit in these matters," CJI said.
The bench noted that there was no mention about the present legal mechanism in the affidavit filed by the Union and that it was also silent about the applicability of Cable TV Act upon electronic media.
The Centre apprised that the Centre has ample powers to regulate electronic media content but it is very cautious in its approach in view of the Freedom of Press.
Expressing disapproval over the submission, the bench asked the Centre to evolve a mechanism to address grievances against media.
The Court adjourned the matter for three weeks after the Solicitor General Tushar Mehta sought time for a fresh affidavit.
The Ministry had earlier filed an affidavit in the matter but the apex court objected to the same citing that it was filed by a junior officer and was not satisfactory.