New Delhi: In a significant ruling, the Delhi High Court has ordered Jagdish Singh to publicly apologize to journalist Mohammed Zubair after Singh referred to him as a jihadi on social media. The court deemed the comment as hate speech and mandated that Singh post the apology on his X (formerly Twitter) profile, where it must remain visible for at least two months.The decision comes in response to Zubairs complaint, where he alleged that Singhs derogatory remarks were intended to incite hatred against him. The court emphasized the importance of maintaining respectful discourse on public platforms and condemned Singhs actions as harmful and defamatory. The courts order aims to set a precedent that hate speech, especially on digital platforms, will not be tolerated. The judgment also highlights the importance of accountability in online spaces, where harmful narratives can rapidly spread and influence public opinion.Singhs acknowledgementThe apology, as directed by the court, should not only retract the defamatory statement but also acknowledge the harm caused by the hateful comment. Singhs apology is expected to be prominently displayed on his X profile to ensure widespread visibility. Reacting to the order, legal experts have lauded the courts stance on promoting responsible use of social media. They believe this ruling sends a strong message that hate speech disguised as freedom of expression will have legal consequences.This case underscores the growing scrutiny on online behavior and reflects the judiciarys role in curbing digital hate speech. Singhs compliance with the courts directive will be closely watched in the coming days.
