The central government on Wednesday withdrew its earlier stand of endorsing the prosecution of Bharatiya Janata Party leader Subramanian Swamy due to his alleged hate speech in a book he had written. On October 28, the Home Ministry told the Supreme Court that Swamy had violated sections of the Indian Penal Code with his writing, and that the book “promotes [the] feeling of enmity and hatred between Hindus and Muslims in India”.

The Centre has now said that the earlier affidavit filed by the Home Ministry does not reflect its stand on the matter. The government's response came after Swamy challenged the constitutional validity of Sections 153, 153A,153B, 295, 295A, 298 and 505 of the IPC regarding hate speech. Swamy said that penal provisions are unconstitutional as it violates citizens' right to freedom of speech and expression, reported The Times of India. The case is likely to be heard next in January.