Student Protest : Plea In Supreme Court Seeks Action Against Organisers & Community Service Penalty For Minors Who Posted Abuses

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear a plea seeking action against the organisers of the July 20 "Sansad Chalo" student protest for allegedly inciting violence.

The petition also proposes that minors who posted abusive content against the Prime Minister on social media should be made to perform community service instead of facing criminal prosecution.

Advocate Rizwan Ahmed mentioned the petition, filed by a retired Air Force Officer, before the Chief Justice of India Surya Kant for urgent listing.

The counsel submitted that the organisers of the July 20 protest continued to make inflammatory statements despite the government's response.

"The organisers are still fanning the fire even though the government has been very generous.The organisers are making reckless statements and creating acrimony in the society. The accountability of the organisers should also be fixed," the counsel told the Court.

The plea also seeks a uniform national policy regarding arrests and registration of FIRs in connection with the aftermath of the July 20 protest. According to the petitioner, different States have adopted different approaches regarding the withdrawal of FIRsleading to uncertainty and public discontent.

"Different States are passing different notifications regarding the arrest and FIR. It is a national issue. A uniform policy should be addressed here. These notifications are creating discontent in the minds of peace-loving citizens of the country," the counsel submitted.

The petitioner also raises the issue of criminal cases registered against minors and young persons for posting abusive videos on social media. Counsel submitted that while such conduct deserved correction, criminal prosecution was counterproductive.

"Young girls and boys who unfortunately use very derogatory and abusive language, FIRs are being filed against them. They are making videos, putting them on social media. It is becoming an ugly battleground," the counsel said.

He urged the Court to evolve a uniform policy under which such minors would be required to undertake community service for at least seven days instead of being subjected to criminal proceedings.

"There should be a uniform policy to send them for community service of at least seven days and then leave them alone. But no FIRs should be lodged. That will create more acrimony in the society. This is the urgency," the counsel submitted.

The Supreme Court agreed to list the matter for hearing tomorrow or the day after.