Cannot Direct Army, Paramilitary Forces: Supreme Court On Manipur

The Supreme Court also said it would not issue any directions to the army or paramilitary forces, which has had a civilian leadership since Independence.

Hate speech should be curbed in Manipur and all parties should maintain equilibrium, the Supreme Court said today while hearing a clutch of petitions seeking the return of the bodies of victims of violence. The court also said it would not issue any directions to the army or paramilitary forces, which has had a civilian leadership since Independence.

"We request all parties to maintain a sense of equilibrium and not participate in any hate speech," said Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, who was leading the three-judge bench hearing the petitions. "As a court we have to show a clear balance because we stand away from the contention. Once we enter the frame, we lose our objectivity. We have to stand apart," he added.

Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves, who represents the Kuki community, said, "The learned Solicitor must curb the extreme hate speech. I have never seen this in India. He can stop this because he knows these gentlemen".