Kiren Rijiju Calls Petitions Against BBC Documentary Ban A Waste of Time
- Posted on January 31, 2023
- News
- By Akta Yadav
- 61 Views
Kiren Rijiju:-
The BBC Documentary based on the 2002 Gujarat riots was banned by the Central government on 21st January 2023 and since then, tensions have been rising all across the country. People have demanded action against the ban on the BBC documentary as the Centre’s actions amount to a breach of fundamental rights. Many have moved the Supreme Court too regarding the issue, however, the Law Minister of India, Kiren Rijiju while commenting on these petitions said, “This is how they waste the precious time of Hon’ble Supreme Court where thousands of common citizens are waiting and seeking dates for justice.”
Kiren Rijiju
Are Kiren Rijiju’s Comments Justified?
The Bombay HC in the matter of Abhilash Umesh Reddy v. Slum Rehabilitation Authority & Ors., had recently said that frivolous PILs filed in the Supreme Court contribute towards increased sloth of the Court and are detrimental to the whole judicial system. However, the controversy surrounding the BBC documentary essentially contains an issue regarding the fundamental rights of citizens, therefore, the matter can in no case, be termed as a waste of the Supreme Court’s time as described by honourable Law Minister Kiren Rijiju
The primary bone of contention in the petitions filed by the Supreme Court against the ban of the BBC documentary is that, “All citizens including the press have the fundamental right to view, form an informed opinion, critique, report on, & lawfully circulate the contents of the documentary as right to freedom of speech and expression incorporates the right to receive and disseminate information.”
Such a right can be curbed only on lawful grounds as laid down by the Indian Constitution such as a threat to the national sovereignty and unity of India, however, the grounds on which the BBC documentary have been banned seem to be grounds that are primarily, in order to favor the ruling central party and its image.
Do Kiren Rijiju’s Comments Matter on Ground?
The comments coming from the Law Minister Kiren Rijiju itself do have a certain impact in amplifying or diluting the seriousness of the matter. However, it must be noted that such an impact is only for the sake of the media and public sentiment. As far as the petitions are concerned, the comments by Kiren Rijiju on the BBC documentary hardly matter. It is upon the Supreme Court to decide whether a matter should be taken up or not. Many instances can be found in which the Supreme Court has denied urgent listing of matters when it does not deem a matter to be fit for urgent hearing with regard to its importance. However, as a matter of fact, in this case, the Supreme Court has heard the lawyers on behalf of the petition filed by Prashant Bhushan and Ors. and agreed to organize an urgent hearing of the matter on 6th February 2023, given its national importance.
Kiren Rijiju
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