Himachal High Court Delves into PIL on Personal Information Disclosure and Minority Protection

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has admitted a PIL challenging the directive for mandatory display of staff identities at eateries. It seeks clarifications on directives affecting religious minorities' safety, urges proactive measures against hate speech, and advocates for communal harmony in Shimla. Respondents must reply by November 13.

The Himachal Pradesh High Court is currently reviewing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) aimed at challenging the directive requiring the mandatory display of personal information of owners and staff at eateries. This legal move seeks to ensure better protection for religious minorities against discrimination and violence.

Initiated by former Shimla Municipal Corporation Deputy Mayor Tikender Panwar, the petition has prompted the high court, led by Acting Chief Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Justice Satyen Vaidya, to issue notices to relevant authorities. These entities include the Secretary (Home), Shimla Municipal Corporation, and local police leaders, who are expected to respond within the next three weeks, with further hearings scheduled for November 13.

The PIL also calls for the maintenance of communal harmony, proactive prevention of hate speech across various media, and compensation for businesses impacted by communal unrest. The petitioner advocates for specialized task forces to address threats of communal violence and offensive material circulation on social media.

(With inputs from agencies.)