Hyderabad, Feb. 25 -- The Supreme Court has observed that it is constitutionally impermissible for anyone, including State and non-State actors, to vilify or denigrate any community through speeches, memes, cartoons or visual art.

The apex court emphasised that this mandate becomes even more critical when individuals holding high constitutional posts, such as ministers, engage in such conduct. "Cultivating a sense of brotherhood and respecting fellow citizens irrespective of caste, religion or language is a constitutional dharma each one of us must follow," Justice Ujjal Bhuyan observed.

These remarks come days after a bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant dismissed a petition seeking an FIR against Assam Chief Minister Himanta...