The Supreme Court of India ruled on Tuesday that calling someone "Miyan-Tiyan" or "Pakistani" may be offensive, but it does not break the law by hurting religious feelings. The case involved a man who was accused of calling a government worker "Pakistani."
What Happened in the Case?
The case started when a government worker, an Urdu translator, visited the accused man to talk about an RTI (Right to Information) request. During the visit, the accused used offensive language, referring to the worker's religion and calling him "Pakistani." The worker filed a case against the man for insulting him and using force to stop him from doing his job.
The man was charged with hurting religious feelings, insulting with the intent to cause trouble, and using force to stop the worker from doing his duty, under the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The Supreme Court's Decision
The Supreme Court ruled that even though the words used were inappropriate and hurtful, they did not break the law. Justices BV Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma said that the words "Miyan-Tiyan" and "Pakistani" may have been rude, but they did not hurt the worker's religious sentiments. The court also said there was no proof that the accused used force to stop the worker from doing his job.
Why Is This Ruling Important?
This ruling is important because it clarifies when words or actions cross the line into something illegal. While the court agreed that the words were offensive, they decided it did not qualify as a crime in this case. This decision shows the balance between free speech and protecting religious feelings.