The Supreme Court on Monday took note of alleged hate speeches by BSP chief Mayawati and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath during campaigns and wanted to know from the Election Commission what action it had taken against them so far.

The bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi summoned a representative of the election watchdog for Tuesday, while agreeing to examine the poll panel's contention that it had limited powers to deal with hate speech during electioneering.

The bench referred to submissions of the commission that they can issue a notice, then an advisory and finally lodge a complaint against an errant politician for violating the model code of conduct. 'The EC says they are toothless,' the bench said, adding that it would examine this aspect about the poll panel's powers.

The bench asked the counsel for the poll panel: 'Tell us what actions you have taken against Mayawati and Yogi Adityanath.' The counsel said notices had been issued against the two. .

An NRI yoga teacher based in Sharjah had filed a plea seeking a direction to the cpmmission to take 'strict action' against political parties if their spokespersons make remarks based on caste and religion in the media.