New Delhi: While quashing an FIR against the editors of a news web portal and others in relation to articles published in West Bengal, the Supreme Court has observed that state force should never be used to sway political opinion or intimidate journalists.
The apex court bench of Justices SK Kaul and MM Sundaresh called for “introspection from the political class across the country” on the debates being held in talks.
The top court also asked the journalists to be more responsible in the age of Twitter.
Stating that a country that is proud of its diversity should have different perceptions and opinions, including political ones, the top court said that this is the very essence of democracy.
“No doubt this is a breakdown in the talks that are taking place, for which the political class across the country needs to introspect. In a country which takes pride in its diversity, there must be differing perceptions and opinions, which will include political opinion,” the top court said in its order.
The bench observed that there is no doubt that by the nature of the essential work to be done by the political class, their exchanges may get heated at times. But it should not explode. We are sure that the difference in perceptions can be expressed in better language,” said the top court, PTI reported.
Senior advocate Siddharth Dave, appearing for the West Bengal government, first informed the bench that the state has decided to withdraw the FIRs lodged against English language opindia.com editor Nupur J Sharma, YouTuber Ajit Bharti and others. Its founder and CEO.
The top court had earlier on June 26 last year stayed further proceedings on three FIRs lodged against the petitioners in West Bengal.
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