Latest news with #Article355
India Today
28-04-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Supreme Court notice over ‘obscene content' on OTTs with ‘overreach' disclaimer
The Supreme Court on Monday observed that all Over The Top (OTT) and social media platforms have a "social responsibility" to appear before the court, as the bench was hearing a petition seeking directions to the Centre to ban the streaming of obscene online a notice to the Centre, social media platforms and OTTs, the court observed, "Plea raises important allegations regarding objectionable obscene and indecent content on OTT platforms and social media," while adding, "The Solicitor General (SG) fairly states that content go to the extent of perversity."advertisementThe Centre submitted that certain regulations are already in place and that future regulations are also in the works. During the hearing, SG Tushar Mehta told the bench, "Some content is perverted to an extent that even two respectable men can't sit together and watch. Condition is 18+ must not watch. But there cannot be censorship. There are some regulations in place, some are in contemplation."The petition further demanded that the court form a National Content Control Authority to oversee content regulation and frame guidelines to curb obscenity on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Netflix, bench informed the Centre that it had already told the petitioner that the matter belongs to the legislative the Centre's submission, the court said it wants to steer clear of both the executive's and the legislature's paths. "As it is, there are already many allegations that we are encroaching on legislative and executive powers," the Supreme Court remarked once again amid a raging row over separation of week back, the Supreme Court - during a hearing on invoking Article 355 in Bengal following the Waqf violence - broke silence on the ongoing debate over the judiciary allegedly overstepping into the executive's the hearing, Justice BR Gavai said, "As it is, we are alleged of encroaching upon the parliamentary and executive functions."Justice Gavai's response came as he, along with Justice Augustine George Masih, was listening to a plea seeking directions to the Centre to impose Section 355 - Centre's duty to protect each state against external aggression and internal disturbance - in violence-hit Bengal.
Hindustan Times
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
‘Mamata Banerjee hates Hindus': BJP attacks Bengal CM for not visiting Murshidabad
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday launched a sharp attack on West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of deliberately ignoring the victims of Murshidabad violence because of "her hatred for Hindus." Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters in New Delhi, BJP MP and national spokesperson Sambit Patra said, "She hates Hindus." The BJP leader was answering a question about Banerjee not visiting Murshidabad, where violence broke out during protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act. "Had such atrocities been carried out against Muslim brothers, Banerjee would have been agitating and camping there," Patra charged. Also Read | Mamata Banerjee slams BJP, RSS; accuses them of 'playing divide and rule game' The BJP leader also criticised the CPI(M), accusing the Left party of distancing itself from two of the victims of the Murshidabad violence -- allegedly its workers, as they were Hindus. 'Those who were killed in the violence were communist party workers. Neither the communist party nor Mamata Banerjee owns them. Their only fault is that their names are Hargobind and Chandan," the BJP leader said. Violence broke out in West Bengal's Murshidabad, a Muslim-majority district, on April 11, during a protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act. The protest turned violent, resulting in two deaths, several injuries, and property damage. Thousands of people fled their homes in search of safety. Also Read | Supreme Court on plea seeking Article 355 action in Murshidabad: 'As it is, we are alleged…' The protest later spread to other districts, including Malda, South 24 Parganas, and Hooghly, where incidents of arson, stone-pelting, and road blockades were reported. As the situation remains tense, the BJP has intensified its accusations of selective outrage and religious bias against both the Trinamool Congress and the CPI(M). Union Minister and West Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar on Monday visited the violence-affected areas and met with the victims affected by the Waqf Act protests. After meeting the victims, Majumdar stated that if the Kolkata High Court permitted the National Investigation Agency to conduct an investigation, the government would need to follow the court's orders. Also Read | SC to hear plea for President's rule in Bengal, notes criticism on alleged overreach He also took a jibe at CM Mamata Banerjee for pressurising authorities to send the victims back, questioning where they would go when their homes had been destroyed. "We stand with the demands of the people. Some people have gone to the court for an NIA inquiry. All our eyes are towards the court now. If the Kolkata High Court permits an NIA investigation, the government will follow suit. Mamata Banerjee is pressuring the authorities to send the victims back, but where would they go? Their homes have been burned and destroyed," Majumdar said.
Time of India
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'As it is, we are alleged of encroaching upon parliamentary & executive functions': SC amid remarks on judiciary
Supreme Court (AI image) NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday expressed concern over being accused of overstepping its constitutional limits, as it heard a petition to invoke Article 355 in West Bengal, citing the recent violence in Murshidabad over protests against the Waqf Amendment Act , which was recently passed in the Parliament. These remarks from the top court came against the backdrop of sharp criticism by BJP MPs over its observations on the Waqf Act, which have stirred political debate. Justice B R Gavai , heading the bench alongside Justice Augustine George Masih , said, 'As it is, we are alleged of encroaching upon the parliamentary and executive functions,' responding to a request for directions to the Centre under Article 355 of the Constitution. The observation came during a mention by Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, who urged the court to take up a new application seeking invoking Article 355 , which refers to President's Rule, in West Bengal in light of the violence. Jain, who had filed a 2021 PIL after post-election violence in the state, said the fresh plea highlighted new incidents. 'In tomorrow's list item 42 pertains to imposition of President Rule in the state of West Bengal. That petition is filed by me. In that petition, I have filed an IA (application) for directions and impleadment bringing out certain more incidents of violence which have happened in the state of West Bengal,' Jain submitted. Citing Article 355, which mandates the Union to protect states from external aggression and internal disturbance, Jain said a report on the ground situation should be sought. He added, 'When the matter will come up, I will demonstrate how the violence happened.'
