The Supreme Court has decided to consider the PIL filed about jokes making fun of the Sikh community. The Supreme Court deemed this matter very serious and sensitive, and we will listen to it. The petitioner has been directed by the court to seek input from Sikh bodies and Takhats and then submit them. The court will commence the case in 8 weeks.
Actually, there is a petition in the Supreme Court requesting the prohibition of websites that propagate jokes depicting the Sardar community as unintelligent and silly individuals.
During the hearing, Justice BR Gavai and Justice KV Vishwanathan’s bench mentioned that this is a significant matter.
Petitioner and attorney Harvinder Chaudhary brought to the attention of the court the mental and societal implications of these jokes on members of the community. Following Justice Gavai’s statement that we will revisit the matter in 8 weeks, it was stressed that this is a crucial matter. The court has mentioned that they will evaluate if children can be made more aware in educational institutions.
This petition claims that the Sikh community is being singled out with jokes. This matter is extremely delicate. Following the hearing, Harvinder Chaudhary was instructed by the court to gather recommendations from Sikh Gurudwara Management Committees, Sikh Sabhas, Takhts, and submit them. During the hearing, Harvinder Chaudhary, the petitioner, stated that the court mentioned the existence of 2 interim applications.
Harvinder Chaudhary informed the court that women are being mocked for their clothing. He mentioned that the kids are facing threats from their peers at school. He shared that a few women approached me and mentioned that our clothing resembled Sikh attire. Because we are wearing turbans and white suits, we are facing ridicule. Chaudhary mentioned that a boy went as far as taking his own life.