SC seeks PCI's response on plea against media houses communalising Tablighi Jamaat issue

The Apex Court has sought a reply on the action being taken by the Press Council of India over communalising the Markaz incident by several media houses. SC asked PCI to suggest what actions can be taken against the media houses under Section 19 and 20 of the Cable Television Networks Act, 1995.

New Delhi:The Supreme Court bench led by the Chief Justice of India, SA Bobde, asked the Press Council of India (PCI) to respond on the petition filed by Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind which claimed that media organisations have been communalising the corona pandemic situation and sought actions against them.

SC asked PCI to suggest what actions can be taken against the media houses under Section 19 and 20 of the Cable Television Networks Act, 1995 and also what actions have they taken till now.

Jamiat had filed the petition in the wake of Talibaghi Jamaat incident where around 3400 people had gathered at Nizamuddin area in Delhi for the Jamaat's event on 13th March and 1000 people had not vacated even after the lockdown was announced by the PM on 24rth March.

Many of the people attending the event were found corona positive and after they reached their respective towns, the virus had spread. This led to the alleged communalising of the whole incident by the media, bashing of the Muslim community and blaming them for the spread of the virus.

Senior Advocate Dushyant Dave who appeared for the petitioner in a connected matter told the court that it is a serious matter impacting the minority rights. The fake news galore on Markaz issue which can damage the secular fabric of the nation. He questioned why the government was silent over the issue and urged the top court to take action against the media organisations.

CJI responded saying that they take all matters seriously. He also told the centre that it should not let people instigate law and order issues, these are the things that later become law and order issues.

In an earlier hearing of the same petition, the court had refused to entertain the plea saying that they can not gag the media and PCI should also be made a party. CJI had also said that they want to make solid long term measures about the news item and refused to pass any interim orders.