NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled in its observation that referring to someone as “Miyan-Tiyan” or “Pakistani” may be in poor taste but does not constitute an offence of hurting religious sentiments.
A bench comprising Justices BV Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma made the remark while closing a case against a man accused of calling a government servant “Pakistani.”
The FIR had been filed by an Urdu translator and acting RTI clerk at the sub-divisional office in Chas in Jharkhand.
Earlier on February 11 court order said, “The appellant is accused of hurting the religious feelings of the informant by calling him ‘miyan-tiyan’ and ‘Pakistani’. Undoubtedly, the statements made are poor taste. However, it does not amount to hurting the religious sentiments of the informant. Hence, we are of the opinion that the appellant shall also be discharged under Section 298 IPC.”
