Calling someone 'miyan-tiyan', 'Pakistani' not offence of hurting religious sentiments, Supreme Court holds

Supreme Court discharges man accused of hurting religious sentiments with terms "miyan-tiyan" and "Pakistani" in poor taste.

The Supreme Court has held using terms such as”miyan-tiyan” and “Pakistani” was not an offence of hurting religious sentiments though made in poor taste.

A Bench of Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma therefore discharged a man in a criminal case filed by a Urdu translator and acting clerk Right to Information (RTI) in the Sub-Divisional Office, Chas in Jharkhand.

Comment | The real reasons for hurt sentiments

The February 11 Court order said, “The appellant is accused of hurting the religious feelings of the informant by calling him ‘miyan-tiyan’ and ‘Pakistani’. Undoubtedly, the statements made are poor taste. However, it does not amount to hurting the religious sentiments of the informant. Hence, we are of the opinion that the appellant shall also be discharged under Section 298 IPC.” Section 298 of IPC deals with words or gestures made with a deliberate intent to wound religious feelings.

It came on record that accused, Hari Nandan Singh, sought information under the RTI Act from Additional Collector-cum-First Appellate Authority, Bokaro, and the information was dispatched to him.

Comment | The executive seems more fragile than hurt sentiment

However, he filed an appeal before the Appellate Authority, allegedly after manipulating the documents sent to him by the office through the registered post and making false allegations of manipulation in the documents.