In a recent ruling, the Bombay High Court emphasized the importance of mutual respect among different castes and communities, highlighting a growing sensitivity towards one’s own caste but not towards others. This observation came as the court quashed a case against Devendra Patil, who had been accused of defaming Dr. BR Ambedkar and making derogatory comments against the Brahmin community on social media.
The Aurangabad division bench, comprising Justices Vibha Kankanwadi and Sanjay Deshmukh, dismissed the proceedings and FIR that had been registered against Patil in August 2019 with the Daulatabad police in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. The case was initially filed under the Indian Penal Code and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
During the proceedings, the court analyzed the conversation between Patil and the complainant, finding that it did not display any disrespect towards Dr. Ambedkar. Instead, Patil had questioned the complainant’s adherence to Dr. Ambedkar’s principles while allegedly using his name in vain. The court noted that Patil argued the respect for Dr. Ambedkar has diminished due to actions like those of the complainant.
The court also pointed out that the initial provocation came from a social media post by the complainant that was offensive towards the Brahmin community. It emphasized that provocation by one party does not give the other the right to react without restraint if they themselves engage in provocative actions.
Justice Kankanwadi and Justice Deshmukh stated, “Person from only one community then cannot have the right to object when he himself has done some provocative act. There has to be reciprocal respect for persons amongst all communities and castes. That is what the soul of the constitutional scheme is.”
The bench further commented on the broader societal issue, noting that an increasing sensitivity towards one’s own caste, coupled with a lack of respect for others, can lead to more such conflicts. They advised that not every negative social media post, comment, or speech warrants a reaction and that there are more sophisticated ways to express dissent.
