Free speech doesn't mean hurting religious sentiments: Court to Sharmishta Panoli
The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday refused to grant interim bail to influencer and law student Sharmista Panoli, observing that freedom of speech is not absolute and does not permit one to hurt religious sentiments.The High Court highlighted the country's diversity and noted that her remarks had hurt the sentiments of a section of the population. The 22-year-old law student made an allegedly offensive video, targeting people over their religious identity in light of Operation Sindoor. She apologised for the comments and deleted the video after backlash.advertisement"Sentiments of a section of the people of our country have been hurt. We have freedom of speech, but that does not mean you hurt the sentiments of others. Our country is full of diversity," the High Court said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
Op Sindoor delegation in Indonesia sends unity message in countering terror ties
A high-level Indian delegation led by Janata Dal (United) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha visited Indonesia to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the fight against terrorism. The multi-party delegation included Congress leader Salman Khurshid and Members of Parliament from various parties, united in their mission to convey India's firm stance against terrorism and foster collaboration with Indian delegation used the visit to convey New Delhi's strong stance against terrorism and to gather support for enhanced cooperation in counter-terrorism efforts. The Indian representatives held meetings with Indonesian government officials, parliamentarians, and think tanks to explore collaborative mechanisms and share the visit, the delegation met KH Ulil Abshar Abdalla, Chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the world's largest Islamic organisation. With a vast network of 80 million members and over 30,000 Islamic boarding schools, NU plays a key role in shaping Indonesia's Islamic discourse. The meeting offered a crucial platform for discussing interfaith harmony and avenues for collaboration on peacebuilding. At the meeting, NU Chairman KH Ulil Abshar Abdalla highlighted the harmony between Islamic law and constitutional law, saying, 'There is no contradiction between the two, as Islamic law honours contracts and covenants.' His remarks reflected Indonesia's broader commitment to democracy, pluralism, and religious freedom, as enshrined in the nation's founding principles of visit comes at a critical time as both nations face common challenges posed by extremism and seek effective ways to combat radical ideologies. Indonesia's own experience as a victim of jihadi terror has placed it at the forefront of Southeast Asia's counter-terrorism engaging in constructive dialogue with political and religious leaders, the Indian delegation underscored the importance of interfaith cooperation and international solidarity. IN THIS STORY#Operation Sindoor
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
PM Modi wants to claim credit: Congress on Chenab rail bridge inauguration
The Congress on Friday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of taking undue credit for the Chenab railway bridge, shortly after the latter inaugurated the world's tallest rail arch in Jammu and Kashmir."This railway project was sanctioned in 1995 when Narasimha Rao was the Prime Minister. In 2002, Atal Bihari Vajpayee declared it a national project. Of the 272-kilometre stretch between Udhampur, Srinagar and Baramulla, 160 km was already inaugurated before 2014. It's not like Modi came, gave the contract, and the work started," Congress general secretary, Jairam Ramesh, for recognition of the contributions made by successive governments, Ramesh said, "We congratulate the project, but the Prime Minister must not forget the importance of continuity in governance, something a self-absorbed PM cannot understand. Modi only wants to claim credit for the work done before him". Tracing the timeline of the project, Ramesh said, "on April 13, 2005, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh inaugurated the 53 km rail link between Jammu and Udhampur. On October 11, 2008, PM Singh inaugurated the 66 km rail link between Anantnag and Mazhom outside Srinagar. On February 14, 2009, PM Singh inaugurated the 31 km rail link between Mazhom outside Srinagar and Baramulla. On October 29, 2009, Prime Minister PM Singh inaugurated the 18 km rail link between Anantnag and Qazigund. On June 26, 2013, PM Singh inaugurated the 11 km Qazigund to Banihal rail link".advertisementPM Modi arrived at the Air Force station in Udhampur and flew by helicopter to the Chenab bridge site to formally inaugurate the engineering marvel, which now links the Kashmir Valley to the rest of India via rail. This is the Prime Minister's first visit to Kashmir since Operation Sindoor, India's military response to the April Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians, mostly addition to the Chenab bridge, PM Modi flagged off two Vande Bharat Express trains between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar and is also scheduled to inaugurate India's first cable-stayed railway bridge at Anji later in the Watch
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
PM opens landmark Chenab Bridge, flags off Vande Bharat in massive Kashmir push
In a major infrastructure milestone for Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the Chenab Rail Bridge, the world's highest railway arch bridge. The engineering marvel is a key part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project and now seamlessly connects the Kashmir Valley to the rest of India via rail. PM Modi's visit today marked several firsts for the region as well: the inauguration of India's first cable-stayed railway bridge, Anji Khad Bridge, and the first-ever train service directly linking Kashmir to the weeks after the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, the inauguration of multiple all-weather infrastructure projects in Kashmir served as a strong message from PM Modi, who is visiting the valley for the first time after Operation Sindoor, that his government remains committed to the development of the region. PM Modi is also scheduled to inaugurate several developmental projects in Katra worth Rs 46,000 crore in a massive infrastructure push for the after inaugurating the Chenab Bridge, the Prime Minister was seen waving the Tiranga and walking across it with a broad smile. Accompanying him were Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, as he cut the ceremonial ribbon. advertisementChenab bridge is the part of the 272 km long USBRL project, constructed worth around Rs 43,780 crore and includes 36 tunnels (spanning 119 km) and 943 bridges. The project establishes all-weather, seamless rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the BRIDGE – AN ENGINEERING MARVEL Built at a cost of Rs 1,486 crore, the Chenab Rail Bridge stands as the world's highest railway bridge and a true feat of engineering. Rising 359 metres above the river, 35 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower and nearly five times the height of the Qutub Minar, the bridge was constructed using 28,660 megatonnes of steel capable of withstanding both sub-zero temperatures and extreme to resist strong earthquakes, the bridge incorporates advanced safety features, including the ability for trains to continue operating at low speed even if a supporting pier is KHAD BRIDGE – INDIA'S FIRST CABLE-STAYED RAIL BRIDGEThe Prime Minister also inaugurated India's first cable-stayed railway bridge at Anji river - Anji Khad Bridge. The Anji Bridge rises 331 metres above the riverbed and spans 725 metres in length. It is supported by 96 high-tensile cables and features a striking inverted Y-shaped pylon that soars 193 metres from its bridge incorporates an astonishing 653 kilometres of cable strands. What truly sets this structure apart as an engineering marvel, however, is that it was completed in just 11 Watch
