The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday said that political leaders must promote fraternity in the country, even as it declined to hear a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking guidelines on political speeches.

A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with Justices B V Nagarathna and Joymalya Bagchi, asked the 12 petitioners to withdraw their plea and file a fresh, more neutral petition if they wished to pursue the matter. The petition was filed by academician Roop Rekha Verma and others, including former civil servants and activists. It was argued by senior advocate Kapil Sibal.