Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI:THE Supreme Court has said that literature, including poetry, drama, films, satire, and art make life of human beings more meaningful and quashed an FIR lodged by Gujarat Police against Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi in ‘provocative’ song case.
A Bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan on March 29 emphasised that protecting citizens’ fundamental rights is the court’s duty, particularly when it comes to freedom of speech and expression.
“Even if a large number of persons dislike the views expressed by another, the right of a person to express the views must be respected and protected. Literature, including poetry, drama, films, satire, and art, enriches human life,” observed the Bench.
Pratapgarhi had moved a special leave petition before the Supreme Court after the Gujarat High Court had turned down his plea to quash the FIR.
Refusing to quash the FIR, the Gujarat HC had stated that as a lawmaker, the Congress leader should have acted responsibly and respected the legal process. It further directed him to submit an affidavit clarifying the origin of the poem used in the video.
In an interim order passed on January 21, the Justice Oka-led Bench shielded Pratapgarhi from arrest as it issued a notice to the Gujarat Government in the matter, and also, in the meantime, ordered that no coercive steps should be taken against the petitioner in any manner on the basis of the impugned FIR. During the course of the hearing, the apex court raised questions over the registration of an FIR. “Please see the poem. It’s ultimately a poem. It is not against any religion. It is not against any particular community. Please apply your mind to the poem,” remarked the Justice Oka-led Bench.
