[LIVE-UPDATES] SC Hearing In Plea Against Sudarshan TV's "UPSC Jihad ' Show

The petitioners submitted that circumstances which weighed with the court in declining a pre-broadcast order on August 28 have changed with the telecast of four episodes with communal tenor, notes J Chandrachud in the order.

J Chandrachud notes in the order that four episodes have already been telecasted and the remaining episodes are to be telecasted from September 15 to 20.

Justice Chandrachud is now dictating the order.

Bhatia submits that the deferring the telecast of the show for two days until the court considers the matter day after tomorrow is a reasonable response as the issue pertains to hate speech.

Bhaita : Hate speech undermines the idea of free marketplace of ideas. The targeted community is deprived of the opportunity to respond or defend. The consideration on prior restraint is different in a case of hate speech.

Gautam Bhatia, appearing for retired civil servants, making submissions. Says he is to assist the court on an authoritative pronouncement on hate speech.

J Chandrachud : After the Centre passed the order on September 9, the broadcast took place on 11,12, 13 and 14. Did anybody in the Ministry apply their mind on the broadcast which happened from 11 -14?

Solicitor General : I will have to take instructions.

Solicitor General says that there are statutory authorities to deal with the violations.

Justice Josehp says - 'the damage will be irreversible'.

Justice Joseph refers to the program code and says that it prohibits telecast of shows "promoting communal attitude".

That is against the diversity and harmony of our country, Justice Joseph.

'A journalist thinks he has discovered something. He may be right or wrong. He thinks he is doing his duty by unravelling the foreign funding. If he is incorrect, he will have to face the consequences. There is a whole regime, whole scheme under the Act to deal with that' :Divan.