News |The Supreme Court, in a significant ruling, affirmed that satire plays a vital role in enhancing the meaningfulness of life, and accordingly quashed a case against a Congress Member of Parliament, upholding the fundamental right to freedom of speech

The Supreme Court, in a significant ruling, affirmed that satire plays a vital role in enhancing the meaningfulness of life, and accordingly quashed a case against a Congress Member of Parliament, upholding the fundamental right to freedom of speech. The Supreme Court bench underscored the court's duty to safeguard citizens' fundamental rights, particularly with regard to the freedom of speech and expression

The Supreme Court, in a significant ruling on Friday, emphasized the importance of protecting citizens' fundamental rights, particularly the freedom of speech and expression. The court quashed an FIR lodged by the Gujarat Police against Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi for a 'provocative' song, stating that literature, including poetry, drama, films, satire, and art, play a vital role in making human life more meaningful. The court's observation came amid a ongoing controversy over comedian Kunal Kamra's satirical stand-up act targeting Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The bench, comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan, stressed that even if a large number of people dislike the views expressed, the individual's right to express those views must be respected and protected. Pratapgarhi had challenged the Gujarat High Court's order dismissing his petition to quash the FIR. The High Court had ruled that the investigation was still in the early stages. The FIR against Pratapgarhi included sections related to promoting enmity between different groups and making assertions prejudicial to national integration. Kunal Kamra's latest stand-up performance, which took a swipe at the political developments in Maharashtra, including the breakaway factions of Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party, had also sparked outrage among Shinde's supporters. An FIR was filed against Kamra, and his venue was vandalized in response to his satirical commentary. The Supreme Court's ruling underscores the importance of safeguarding the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression, even in the face of dissent or criticism. The court's stance reinforces the role of art, literature, and satire in enriching the lives of citizens and fostering meaningful discourse in a democratic society.