N RAM, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AND PUBLISHER OF THE HINDU AND OTHERS Vs. RASHTRIYA SWAYAMSEWAK SANGH, HARYANA PRANT

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Tersenessly, the facts and material, which need a necessary mention for the limited purpose of deciding the core controversy, involved in the instant petition and emanating from the record is that, on 08.08.2004, a "National Conference on Secularism was organized by the Freedom Fighter Cell, of All India Congress Committee in New Delhi. Although, the leaders from various political parties have addressed the Convention, but the then Cabinet Minister and Senior Congress Leader Mr.Arjun Singh, was the star speaker. He delivered the speech in question, which was published by different National Newspapers. 'The Hindu' Newspaper published the news (Annexure P-7) as well, on 09.08.2004, which in substance is as under:-

(2.) Sequelly, it was also published as under:-

(3.) Likewise, the news of planning of Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh, to take legal action against Minister Mr.Arjun Singh (Annexure P-8) and his rejoinder (Annexure P-9) were also published by 'The Hindu' as such. The same very 1 st news (Annexure P-7) was also published by The Hindustan Times (Annexure P-10), The Pioneer (Annexure P-11), The Asian Age (Annexure P-12) and Navbharat Times (Annexure P-14) in their respective newspapers. The news of condemnation of the conduct of the Minister by the RSS was published (Annexure P13) by the Indian Express as well.