While hearing the plea over communalism of COVID-19 pandemic linking the same to the Muslim community, the madras HC has directed the state and central government to respond to the plea seeking directions to curb the communalised reporting targeting Muslims amid the pandemic.
The plea has been filed by the State General Secretary of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) through Advocates A Raja Mohamed, MA Sahul Hameed and A Yousuff Imran against the communalised reporting of the pandemic via some media outlets following the Tablighi Jamat episode.
The matter was heard by a Division Bench comprising of Justices R Subbiah and R Pongiappan.
The State has been directed to file a status report in the matter within two weeks. Further, the Central Government has also been directed to file a counter.
The petitioner stated that the Tablighi Jammat religious meet had been conducted before the national lockdown was announced and after notifying the concerned authorities. Adding to the same it stated that it stated that there were no curbs on religious events, meetings etc. until March 24.
The petitioner alleging communalism in this regard stated before the Madras HC that
“… certain section of the media , instead of exercising restraint, reported the entire incident with a communal flavour, with phrases such as ‘Corona Jihad’, ‘Corona Terrorism’, ‘Islamic Insurrection’, ‘Corona Bombs’ ,Etc., It was apparent that the unfortunate incident of the Tablighi Jamat was belong used to demonise and blame the entire Muslim Community.”
It highlighted that several fake reports and videos were being circulated online to show Muslims in a bad light which worsened the situation.
“For instance, a fake video of Sufi followers indulging in mass sneezing or another fake video showing Muslim person licking vessels allegedly to perpetrate the spread of corona Virus in the Country. The social media websites were flooded with such videos demeaning the Muslim Community, without any basis.”
The petition contended that such biased reporting was violative of Article 21 of the Constitution, the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995, norms of Journalistic conduct and the principles of secularism. Further it was also contrary to the Supreme Court’s direction according to which media outlets had to maintain a strong sense of responsibility in reporting on COVID-19.
“Therefore, such reporting will only deteriorate the circumstances. It is need of the hour that the entire nation is united tin the fight against the Corona Virus COIVD -19 and any reporting on communal angle will hamper and undermine the same. It is therefore necessary the media is directed to tread with caution and is warned against the giving any communal angle to the Nizamuddin Markaz incident… When everyone is hooked up to one service or other, the media engages in itself by hurling allegations that a particular community is spreading the pandemic and also terming them as ‘Super Spreaders’ or connoting as ‘Corona Jihad.’”
It was contended that,
“All this hatred has been provoked due to political obscenity and centering the Islamic hatred politics. Such reporting has triggered communal antagonism and has also perpetrated hatred, resulting in fissiparous tendencies gaining foothold, undermining and affecting communal harmony.”
After referring to several Tamil reports stated to have added a communal angle to the reporting on COVID-19, the petitioner also stated that the Principal Secretary of the State Health Department had also contributed to the problem as give that she always mentioned about the Delhi Tablighi Jamaat in her press meets.
Apart from seeking general directions to curb the communalisation of COVID-19, the petitioner has also sought that action should be taken over the 200 complaints that have been made with respect to spreading fake news and bigotry over the issue.
A similar plea is expected to be taken up next week before the Supreme Court. On Monday, a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde refused to hear the petition by the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind requesting that the Press Council of India (PCI) should be made a party to the same.
