In a firm tone that avoided legal overreach, the Supreme Court on Friday made it clear that litigants cannot turn the judiciary into a political battleground. While hearing a petition filed against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over her alleged comments that questioned national integrity, the court refused to entertain the plea.

“You must fight political battle outside Supreme Court,” remarked the bench, underscoring the court's growing concern over politically motivated litigations being disguised as legal matters.

The petitioner had sought action against Banerjee for her remarks during a recent public rally. However, the court observed that freedom of speech particularly in a political context cannot be curbed lightly. Unless there’s a direct violation of law, the court cautioned against judicial interference in political discourse.

By suggesting that such matters belong in the public and electoral domain, the Supreme Court has once again reinforced the idea that courts are not platforms for settling ideological or political scores.

Legal experts appreciated the decision and said that it prevents the dangerous tendency in which political enemies are presented as PILs. The court also indicated that the judiciary should remain above the tussle of everyday politics and oppose efforts to use legal processes as a political weapon.

The right way to combat political ideas in democracy is a debate, not a lawsuit. This decision is a reminiscent signal - take your political issues not among the Supreme Court, but among the people.