Hyderabad: BRS MLC Dasoju Sravan wrote to Rahul Gandhi opposing the proposed hate speech Bill in Telangana and sought his intervention to stop its implementation.
He said the hate speech Bill contradicted principles that Rahul Gandhi had advocated during his outreach programmes. Therefore, he urged him to take a clear stand on the issue.
Sravan described the proposed law as draconian and raised concerns over its structure. He said it lacked clear definitions for terms such as hatred and intent.
As a result, he warned that the provisions could lead to misuse. He also said the ambiguity might affect free expression and democratic discourse.
He argued that laws dealing with speech must remain precise and balanced. Otherwise, they could impact citizens who express opinions on public platforms.
Hate speech Bill raises concerns over arrest powers and content control
Sravan said the hate speech Bill classified offences as cognisable and non-bailable. Therefore, authorities could arrest individuals without a warrant, even for social media posts.
He also objected to provisions allowing officials to remove online content without prior notice. In addition, he argued that such powers went against Supreme Court principles.
He questioned why the State had adopted a law similar to one rejected elsewhere. Moreover, he asked whether such measures aligned with democratic values.
Sravan referred to Rahul Gandhi’s earlier stance against controversial laws and sought clarity on his position now. He urged him to ensure the withdrawal of the hate speech Bill.
He also criticised the language used in the Assembly and called for safeguarding constitutional values in Telangana. Meanwhile, he said the issue required wider public debate.
He added that accountability and clarity must guide any legal framework on speech. Therefore, he stressed the need for safeguards against arbitrary enforcement.
తెలంగాణ ‘హేట్ స్పీచ్’ బిల్లుపై గౌరవనీయులు శ్రీ @RahulGandhi గారికి బహిరంగ లేఖ
➡️ శ్రీ రాహుల్గాంధీ గారూ, దేశవ్యాప్తంగా 4,000 కి.మీ నడిచి, రాజ్యాంగాన్ని చేతబూని “నఫ్రత్ కే బజార్” లో “మొహబ్బత్ కీ దుకాన్” తెరుస్తానని మీరు ఇచ్చిన మాటను నమ్మాం. కానీ తెలంగాణలో మీ పార్టీ ప్రభుత్వమే ఆ… pic.twitter.com/q3iOvexQVb
— Prof Dasoju Sravan Kumar (@sravandasoju) April 2, 2026
