Taking cognisance of the possible mischief and potential danger of the offensive videos of Sakshi Bhardwaj on YouTube, the Delhi Small Causes Court of Jasjeet Kaur has ordered Google to remove these blasphemous videos and all other offensive content denigrating and demeaning the Sikh religion within 7 days.

While the police, the Intelligence agencies have either failed or did not take it up seriously, or worse are in cahoots with Sakshi Bhardwaj or her mentors, it was a Delhi Small Causes Court of Civil Judge Jasjeet Kaur in Delhi, who on a petition seeking ex-parte judgement by Indian Railway official G S Walia, took cognisance of the blasphemous and dangerous speech of Delhi-based girl Sakhshi Bhardwaj and has directed Google to remove all such content from YouTube within 7 days.

Sakshi Bhardwaj, a former JNU student has been spewing venom against Sikhs in general, Sikh heroes and even Sikh Gurus on YouTube and Whatsapp. The Jammu police are on record to say that despite their best efforts they have not been able to trace her nor has Facebook been able to identify and establish her true identity.

While curtailing fake news has the attention of internationally renowned giants like Google and Facebook, particularly in the wake of widespread allegations of how fake news impacted the US general election in which Donald Trump won, there is seems little concern for stopping hate-filled, derogatory and blasphemous videos on the internet.

Virtually hounding the Sikh community over the Internet since the last many weeks, this young ferociously violent-looking lady, for reasons best known to her, has been mouthing language so foul and degrading that the Sikhs are up in arms against her, with widespread street protests in Jammu, seeking her immediate arrest.

As per available information, two FIRs have been registered in Udhampur (FIR No. 393/2017) and Gandhi Nagar (141/2017)  police stations. The South Jammu SP Sandeep Choudhary has reportedly told the media that they are working alongside the Cyber Cell to understand the methodology used to make her videos viral.

Civil judge Jasjeet Kaur granted an ex-parte interim injunction in favour of petitioner GS Walia, chief commercial inspector in Northern Railways, who had moved court against Google India for removal of the offensive videos in circulation on YouTube and injunction against uploading similar videos.

In the changing socio-political scenario where hate rules, a good cross-section of the media is subservient, the police and politicians are quietly toeing the rabidly right-wing line, the Muslims, Sikhs, Dalits, the poor and political dissenters are most vulnerable. Regular attempts are made to target Sikhs and Muslims to degrade their status and to showcase them in an integrative manner, with the modus operandi being different for both of them. The attacks on Muslims and Islam are physical and direct, whereas, in case of Sikhs, they are more psychological and pernicious. Earlier on, they were surreptitious, now at times, they are vocal and flagrant.

“ Virtually hounding the Sikh community over the Internet since the last many weeks, this young ferociously violent-looking lady, for reasons best known to her, has been mouthing language so foul and degrading that the Sikhs are up in arms against her, with widespread street protests in Jammu, seeking her immediate arrest.”

It is very surprising that even though many FIRs have been registered against her in different states, still she is out of the reach of the police. This is not difficult to understand considering that she was made to escape by activists of the Hindu Mahasabha when the Jammu police were on her heels.

What is most surprising is that Mr Walia had to move court as his complaints to Google did not move the world giant.

Walia’s counsel Gurmeet Singh told the court that the offensive videos featuring Sakshi Bhardwaj, said to be a resident of Ber Sarai in south Delhi, contains hate speeches and offensive remarks against Sikh Gurus and Sikhism and have been on social media for many days and is likely to spread communal disharmony. Walia had come across the videos in August. Advocate Gurmeet Singh also played some of the videos for the court.  

“After going through the contents of the plaint and watching videos, it prima facie appears that uploader of the videos has made derogatory remarks against Sikh Gurus and their family members and its followers are likely to feel great insult of the religious sentiments by continued circulation of videos of Sakshi Bhardwaj on social media.” says the order, a copy of which is in the possession of WSN.

“Social harmony and law and order situation is likely to get adversely affected if Google India is not restrained from the publication of derogatory videos.”

Jasjeet Kaur, Judge, Delhi Small Causes Court

“Social harmony and law and order situation is likely to get adversely affected if Google India is not restrained from the publication of derogatory videos,” the court observed.

“Accordingly,  I deem it fit to grant ex parte interim injunction in favour of the plaintiff,” the court ordered restraining Google India from uploading or publishing any videos containing hate speech and derogatory remarks against any religion and in particular against Sikh religion.

Respecting the sentiments of the complainant and aware that there is much more on YouTube that is offensive to the Sikhs, the court ordered that, “Google India is also directed to remove all such videos featuring Sakshi Bhardwaj already in circulation on social media including videos on YouTube containing hate speeches about Sikh Gurus within 7 days.

The order of the Delhi court, in fact, goes beyond Sakshi Bhardwaj and contains a blanket order that anything offensive against the Sikh Gurus and Sikh religion is to be removed.

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It will be interesting to see how Google reacts to this. Furthermore, this order should enable other communities, particularly the Muslims, against whom to there are many such offensive diatribes by elements inimical to Islam and peace.