Supreme Court Explores Measures to Address Offensive Sikh Jokes

India's top court emphasizes the need for societal sensitization and digital regulation to combat stereotypes undermining Sikh dignity.

The Supreme Court of India is reviewing a PIL filed by Sikh lawyer Harvinder Chowdhury, seeking a ban on jokes targeting Sikhs and Sardars, citing violations of constitutional rights to equality and dignity.
The court highlighted the importance of sensitizing children in schools and society at large to reduce bullying and harmful stereotypes against the Sikh community.
Proposals include introducing filters for offensive content on digital platforms and imposing financial penalties on creators and sharers of such material, with funds directed to the National Legal Aid Fund.
Chowdhury shared personal and community experiences of ridicule, including instances of school bullying that have pressured Sikh children to dissociate from their cultural identifiers like turbans and traditional surnames.
The Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee supports the petition, emphasizing the widespread harm caused by such jokes on social media, and the court is set to hear consolidated recommendations in eight weeks.