SC dismisses PIL to prosecute Mayawati in Nataakbaaz row

The Supreme Court today dismissed a PIL seeking prosecution of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati for calling the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi a ‘naatakbaaz.’. The petitioner had sought directions to the Union government to lay down some guidelines in order to protect the honour of Mahatma Gandhi and other national leaders, martyrs and freedom fighters.

The verdict was seen as a relief for Ms Mayawati.

The petitioner, Ravi Kant, contended before the Bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice B S Chauhan that derogatory references made by the Dalit leader and BSP supremo had hurt the patriotic sentiments of the people of this country as they hold the Mahatma in very high esteem.

The petitioner had also prayed for the prosecution of the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister.

The apex court however told the petitioner, ‘we understand your feelings, but this court cannot grant the relief sought by you ‘ and the petitioner must explore other legal options.