SUPREME COURT DISMISSED THE PIL SEEKING TO STOP USAGE OF TERM “SOCIAL DISTANCING”

The Hon'ble Supreme Court dismissed the petition seeking to stop usage of term social distancing or Samajik Doori which is used every day as a step to prevent Novel COVID 19 from spreading. The SC while dismissing the petition also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on the petitioner for filling the PIL. The petition filled by Shakeel Qureshi , a social worker.  According to petitioner the term social distancing gives the impression of discrimination and unequal treatment under the Indian constitution and it has wrong connotation.

A bench comprising Sanjay Kishan, Ashok Bhushan and BR Gauri  took up the PIL for hearing through video conferencing.

 Shakeel Qureshi argued that the term social distancing is endangering the unity and integrity of India. The petitioner pointed out that the word "social distance" was initially meant to keep people away from each other socially, but has now come to mean preserving physical distance. The petitioner argued that although the Centre government's pandemic advisory encourages citizens to maintain a safe distance from each other, the use of the word the use of the word "social distance" may actually be interpreted by the populations as "social boycott". To support this petitioner added several news reports say racist activity against Muslims has been taking place in the country at the present time. This action stems from the misplaced assumption that the Muslim group is bent on intentionally spreading the contagion.

Therefore, petitioner moved the Supreme Court seeking a direction to restrain the media from using the term "social distancing" and to use an alternative term instead. The petitioner had also prayed that under the COVID-19 guidelines, the Court would order the government to transform the term social distancing into "self-isolation." Government instructions were also sought to issue these advisories "in the course of a lockdown which can preserve and defend India's sovereignty, unity and dignity."

However, the petitioner was ordered by the Court to deposit an amount of Rs. 10,000 within eight weeks in the Supreme Court Mediation Centre, thus dismissing the petition.