The Telangana Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Act, 2026, which was introduced in the State Assembly on March 30, 2026, stunned members of the legislature crossing political lines. | Photo credit: THE HINDU
In a development with few precedents, the Telangana Legislative Assembly has referred a bill to control hate speech causing disharmony to a select committee.
The content of the bill – The Telangana Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Act, 2026 – introduced in the House on Monday (March 30, 2026) has caused considerable consternation among assembly members across political lines and has been referred to a select committee for detailed scrutiny.
The government introduced a bill in the assembly expressing concern over a marked increase in incidents of hate speech and hate crimes, which could spread rapidly and damage public order and social harmony.
“Such acts promote enmity, hatred and disharmony between individuals and groups on the basis of religion, caste ethnicity, language, gender and other identities, thereby undermining the constitutional values of equality, dignity and fraternity,” the bill said. However, the existing framework has not comprehensively addressed the evolving nature and manifestations of hate speech and hate crime, which requires specialized and strong legislation to effectively prevent, regulate and punish such conduct, while ensuring the protection and redress of those affected.
The Government therefore considered the legislation necessary to limit and prevent the dissemination, publication or promotion of hate speech and hate crimes that incite disharmony or hatred in society against a person, group of persons or organisations. It would provide severe and deterrent punishment for the commission of such crimes and provide adequate compensation to the affected victims.
The Executive Magistrate or Special Executive Magistrate may, after enquiry, take the necessary preventive measures if there is reason to believe that the repeat offender is likely to commit an offense or has threatened to commit an offense under the Act and if he is of the opinion that there is sufficient cause to proceed.
Interestingly, the bill makes any person associated with an organization or institution that commits an offense under the Act prosecuted and punished accordingly for being a member of the organization and group. While the law empowers a designated official to order any service provider, intermediary, person or entity to block or remove hate crime material from its domain, including electronic media, it insulates officials from the power to act.
“No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against any public servant for anything done in good faith or intended to be done under the Act or the rules made thereunder,” the bill says.
The clauses have led to strong opposition from the opposition BJP and CPI, which have expressed concern over the likely misuse of the provisions, which give scope for retaliatory action against individuals or organisations.
They wanted the government to either withdraw the bill or refer it to a select committee, while some members of the ruling party also wanted it to be referred to a select committee to study the provisions in detail. Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, who piloted the bill, said it would be referred to a select committee for detailed scrutiny.
Published – 30 March 2026 16:01 IST
