Telangana hate speech Bill sent to Select Committee, Shabbir Ali welcomes move

Hyderabad: The Telangana hate speech Bill moved to a Select Committee after the Legislative Assembly took a unanimous decision. Mohammed Ali Shabbir welcomed the move and called it a bold step to curb hate speech and protect social harmony.

D. Sridhar Babu introduced the Bill on behalf of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. The proposal lays out a clear legal framework to tackle hate speech and related crimes.

Telangana hate speech Bill proposes penalties

The Bill sets a minimum jail term of one year. Courts may extend this term up to seven years. Offenders may also face a fine of ₹50,000.

Repeat offenders face tougher punishment. Jail terms may range from two to ten years, along with fines up to ₹1 lakh. The Bill also classifies these offences as non-bailable, which shows the seriousness of the law.

Shabbir Ali said current laws do not address modern forms of hate speech effectively. Therefore, he stressed the need for a focused law to prevent and punish such acts while protecting victims.

Focus on rights and social balance

Shabbir Ali said the Select Committee will review the Bill in detail. He expressed confidence that it will produce a strong and balanced law.

He noted that Article 19(1)(a) guarantees freedom of speech. However, Article 19(2) allows reasonable limits to protect public order and national integrity.

He also warned about the rise in identity-based and religious rhetoric. According to him, such trends can harm social unity.

He clarified that the Bill does not aim to silence criticism. Instead, it seeks to stop deliberate attempts to spread hatred and create unrest.

He rejected opposition concerns about misuse. He said safeguards and detailed review will address such risks.

Overall, the Telangana hate speech Bill aims to protect vulnerable groups and strengthen constitutional values.