The Supreme Court today gave a big statement that ‘Freedom of Speech’ means freedom of speaking is being misused. This comment was made by the court during the hearing of the petition filed by cartoonist Hemant Malviya. Hemant is accused of creating objectionable cartoons against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
During the hearing, the court said that some cartoonists and stand-up comedians are misusing the freedom to speak. The next hearing in this case will now be held on July 15. However, the court did not stop the arrest of Hemant Malviya during this period, that is, if the police wishes, they can be arrested at any time.
Hemant Malaviya had moved the Supreme Court in connection with the case registered against him and demanded advance bail (antisepatiry bell). The court clarified that objectionable posts cannot be justified under the guise of freedom to speak.
Earlier, on July 3, the Madhya Pradesh High Court also reprimanded Hemant Malaviya, saying that artists should use restraint and understanding while making such caricatures.
In his petition filed in the Supreme Court, Malaviya said that he had made this cartoon during the epidemic, when public concerns about misinformation and vaccine were increasing. He argued that this cartoon was a satirical social commentary, which tried to show that some public celebrities described the vaccine as “safe like water”, while scientific tests were not enough at that time.