New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday
dismissed a PIL seeking a direction for taking action against
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati for allegedly making
derogatory remarks against Mahatma Gandhi.
It also refused to lay down guidelines to ensure
respect for the Father of the Nation.
"Issuing guidelines to ensure respect for the Father
of the Nation is not within the scope of this court," a bench
comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice B S
Chauhan said.
"We agree with what you are saying," the Bench said in
response to the submission made by an advocate about the
greatness and honour with which Mahatma Gandhi is being
revered by citizens.
However, the bench was not convinced that the apex
court`s intervention was required for initiating proceedings
against the BSP chief under penal provisions for allegedly
promoting enmity between different groups and causing public
mischief.
"You have to go to appropriate forum for this," the
Bench said while dismissing the PIL filed by advocates Ravi
Kant and Sukumar.
They had also sought a show-cause notice to Mayawati
for making allegedly derogatory remarks about Gandhi and
questioning his contribution for the upliftment of Dalits.
The advocates had contended that the act by the Chief
Minister amounts to violation of fundamental duty.
The advocates have also filed a PIL against the
construction of statues of Mayawati and her mentor Kanshi Ram
in Lucknow and Noida.
Bureau Report
