The Supreme Court on Friday, 1 July, castigated Nupur Sharma for her derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad, saying that she should apologise to the whole nation.
The bench of Justices Surya Kant and JB Pardiwala made the remarks during the former Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) spokesperson's plea to move all the First Information Reports (FIRs) registered against her over the matter to Delhi. Her plea was dismissed by the court.
"The way she has ignited emotions across the country. This lady is singlehandedly responsible for what is happening in the country. We saw the debate on how she was incited... She should apologise to the whole country," Bar and Bench quoted Justice Surya Kant as saying.
The apex court further noted that her outburst was responsible for the unfortunate incident in Udaipur, ANI reported.
Here are some more highlights from the court's criticism of Sharma:
"What is the business of the TV channel to discuss the matter which is sub-judice, except to promote an agenda?"
"We saw the debate on how she was incited. But the way she said all this and later says she was a lawyer... it is shameful. She should apologise to the whole country."
To Sharma's counsel's contention that the FIR was filed in Delhi first, the court added, "What has Delhi Police done? Don't make us open our mouth."
"She should have gone to the TV and apologized to the nation…She was too late to withdraw... and that too she withdraws conditionally, saying if sentiments hurt."
"If you are a spokesperson of a party, it is not a license to say things like this... What if she is the spokesperson of a party. She thinks she has backup power and can make any statement without respect to the law of the land."
"The freedom of a journalist cannot be equated to that of a political spokesperson who is making statements on television and ignites emotions across the country."
The court also voiced qualms about Sharma bypassing the lower courts to reach out to the SC for relief in the matter.
"The petition smacks of her arrogance, that the Magistrates of the country are too small for her," the court said, LiveLaw reported.
Meanwhile, a letter petition was filed before Chief Justice NV Ramana, seeking to direct the court's bench led by Justice Surya Kant to withdraw its remarks against Sharma.
The petition, filed by Gau Mahasabha leader Ajay Gautam, urged the chief justice to declare that the remarks made by Justice Kant were "uncalled for."
Sharma's Remarks and the Fallout
Sharma's comments, delivered during a prime-time show on national television, had provoked days-long protests and a stream of international censure – and at least two people died amidst the unrest.
Sixteen nations, as well as the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which consists of 56 member states, condemned the ex-spokesperson's statements.
Indian ambassadors to Iran, Kuwait, Iraq, and Qatar were also summoned by the foreign ministries of the respective countries.
Following the uproar, the BJP suspended Sharma from the party's primary membership.
In another major fallout, a tailor was brutally murdered in Udaipur for allegedly supporting Sharma's views. The horrific incident, being treated as a terror attack, provoked protests in the area, and authorities temporarily suspended the internet.
(With inputs from ANI, Bar and Bench, and LiveLaw.)
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