Supreme Court seeks suggestion on banning jokes on Sikhs

New Delhi: Expressing its intent to act on a PIL seeking ban on jokes on the Sikh community, the Supreme Court, Tuesday, observed that Sikhs are pride of the nation.

The apex court gave 6-week time to the petitioner Delhi Sikh Gurduwara Management Committee (DSGMC) to give suggestion within judicial dynamics on how such jokes can be banned.

The court added that Sikhs are second to none and pointed out that the next Chief Justice of India is a Sikh too. Justice J S Khehar is expected to take over as CJI after the incumbent Justice TS Thakur retires.

Sikh lawyer Harvinder Chowdhury has also filed a PIL on her issue. In her petition, she has claimed that such jokes are a violation of their right to equality with fellow citizens and an attack on the dignity of the community. Her petition said the court should order the government to ensure such jokes are taken off websites and filters are put in place to prevent the spread of similar jokes in the future.