Overview

• The Supreme Court has summoned five influencers, including comedian Samay Raina, over allegations of mocking individuals with disabilities and rare disorders such as Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).
• The court emphasized that freedom of speech does not permit demeaning vulnerable communities, describing the alleged conduct as 'damaging' and 'demoralizing.'
• Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh have warned of coercive measures if the influencers fail to appear in court as directed.
• The petition, filed by the Cure SMA Foundation, calls for stricter regulations on digital content to protect the dignity of persons with disabilities and prevent similar incidents.
• The court is considering framing binding guidelines for online platforms to address gaps in the current legal framework and ensure accountability for harmful content.