Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta complained about "media reports" and "prophets of doom" today while the Supreme Court was hearing a suo motu case on the plight of migrant workers who were left stranded after the lockdown began to contain the spread of Covid-19.

According to LiveLaw, Mehta, who was representing the central government, told the court he wanted to register two complaints, saying: "There are prophets of doom who keep spreading misinformation. Not showing courtesy to the nation."

Mehta continued: "All these people writing on social media, giving interviews cannot even acknowledge what is being done. State governments and ministers are working over night. They don’t even have the patriotism to acknowledge that. Human race is facing most difficult challenge."

Mehta followed this up with a story on photojournalist Kevin Carter, who won a Pulitzer for a photo on the 1993 famine in Sudan. However, the second part of the story is unverifiable, though it was widely shared on WhatsApp and social media earlier this month.

Mehta also asked the court what these "armchair intellectuals" have "contributed": "Your lordships must ask them to file an affidavit on their contribution? Except for writing on social media, penning articles, giving interviews?"

The hearing concluded with a Supreme Court order on five points of action. The matter will be taken up next on June 5.

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