Indian Supreme Court Rules 'Miyan-Tiyan' and 'Pakistani' Remarks Not Criminal Offenses

The court found the comments to be in poor taste but insufficient to constitute offenses under laws protecting religious sentiments or public order.

The Supreme Court of India ruled that using terms like 'Miyan-Tiyan' or 'Pakistani' does not meet the legal threshold for hurting religious sentiments or causing public disorder.
The case involved an 80-year-old man accused of making derogatory remarks towards an Urdu translator in Jharkhand during an official interaction in 2020.
The court discharged the accused from charges under Sections 298, 353, and 504 of the Indian Penal Code, citing a lack of evidence for criminal intent or breach of peace.
The bench emphasized that while the remarks were inappropriate, they did not provoke any direct or imminent threat of public disorder.
This ruling overturned decisions by lower courts, including the Jharkhand High Court, which had previously upheld the charges.