The Patiala House Court today ordered the removal of certain videos from Youtube, which contain hate speeches about the Sikh Gurus and Sikh religion..The order was passed in a civil suit filed by one GS Walia against Google (owner of Youtube). The plaintiff filed an application for grant of ex-parte ad-interim injunction for the purpose of directing Youtube to remove all videos of one Sakshi Bhardwaj containing such hate speeches and offensive remarks against the Sikh Gurus and the Sikh Religion..An application for hearing the matter in chamber/ ‘in camera’ was also moved by the plaintiff. Considering the sensitive nature of the matter, the application was allowed..Appearing for the plaintiff, Advocate Gurmeet Singh submitted that the application be heard ex-parte as the hate speeches are already in circulation and are likely to spread communal disharmony. It was also submitted that Google has refused to remove the offensive videos from Youtube without the intervention of the court..While granting the ex-parte interim injunction in favour of the plaintiff, Civil Judge Jasjeet Kaur observed that,.“The followers of the Sikh faith are likely to feel grave insult to their religious sentiments by continued circulation of videos of Sakshi Bhardwaj on social media. Moreover, social harmony and law and order situation is likely to get adversely affected if Google is not restrained from publication of the derogatory videos.” .The Court therefore, ordered an ex-parte injunction in favour of the plaintiff and ordered Google to restrain from uploading/ publishing any videos containing hate speech against any religion, particularly Sikhism..It also directed Google to take down all videos of Sakshi Bhardwaj containing hate speeches about Sikh Gurus and Sikh religion..Read the order below..Click here to download the Bar & Bench Android App
The Patiala House Court today ordered the removal of certain videos from Youtube, which contain hate speeches about the Sikh Gurus and Sikh religion..The order was passed in a civil suit filed by one GS Walia against Google (owner of Youtube). The plaintiff filed an application for grant of ex-parte ad-interim injunction for the purpose of directing Youtube to remove all videos of one Sakshi Bhardwaj containing such hate speeches and offensive remarks against the Sikh Gurus and the Sikh Religion..An application for hearing the matter in chamber/ ‘in camera’ was also moved by the plaintiff. Considering the sensitive nature of the matter, the application was allowed..Appearing for the plaintiff, Advocate Gurmeet Singh submitted that the application be heard ex-parte as the hate speeches are already in circulation and are likely to spread communal disharmony. It was also submitted that Google has refused to remove the offensive videos from Youtube without the intervention of the court..While granting the ex-parte interim injunction in favour of the plaintiff, Civil Judge Jasjeet Kaur observed that,.“The followers of the Sikh faith are likely to feel grave insult to their religious sentiments by continued circulation of videos of Sakshi Bhardwaj on social media. Moreover, social harmony and law and order situation is likely to get adversely affected if Google is not restrained from publication of the derogatory videos.” .The Court therefore, ordered an ex-parte injunction in favour of the plaintiff and ordered Google to restrain from uploading/ publishing any videos containing hate speech against any religion, particularly Sikhism..It also directed Google to take down all videos of Sakshi Bhardwaj containing hate speeches about Sikh Gurus and Sikh religion..Read the order below..Click here to download the Bar & Bench Android App
