Freedom of expression towers in a democracy. A carousel of debates gleamed the TV screens all through these years to check the veracity of the claim. The Indian government was accused of stifling voices of dissent. However, now the issue is kept at bay but not completely tamed. With all this in the background comes a shocking verdict from the supreme court of India. Spewing hate speech won't fall in the merits of expression and will land you in jail. The court under Justice K M Joseph and Nagaratna asked the state governments to take action against anyone indulging in hate speech. The court also ordered the government to not show bias in registering cases, as religion, and politics are dominant cards stymying police to register cases.

Not just politicians, but smaller leaders within many parties now have such people with commendable oratory skills. To win elections, leaders now seldom talk development but instill bigotry and talk simply about religion. A divisiveness is created which helps reap votes in one go. People throng to the grounds to hear such rabble-rousing and lionize such lots. Many such leaders have admirers that can even shame elite movie stars. Most of such talks emanate primely during election times. In a final bid to get some votes, these leaders try working ways with hatred and succeed.

The leaders often end up getting celebrated but seldom care about the consequences that ensue. The Bengal post-poll violence is a child of the same hatred spewed before elections. Many such examples are rampant even in the normally idyllic turf of Kerala. If anyone files a complaint, the police fear backlash from the political party concerned. If the arrest is made, the guilty will get scot-free in a matter of days and resumes the rabid hate.

Last October, the supreme court asked states including Delhi, UP, and Uttarakhand to take action without delay against hate speech. It was after one speech directed at Muslim sections that the Supreme Court took notice of the issue. The court order seems pragmatic but puts into question the scope of freedom of expression. The court defines no religion for hate speech to be penalized. However, the path to quell such talks won't travel an easy road since religion still remains a volatile bubble waiting to burst even with a small cuddle. The court may be right but the politics won't see a massive facelift.