Telangana Assembly refers Hate Speech Bill to select committee following objections from BRS, BJP

The Telangana Assembly on Monday referred the Telangana Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, 2026 to a select committee, following objections from the BRS and BJP and suggestions from the AIMIM. The Bill prescribes a jail term of up to 10 years and a fine of Rs 1 lakh. Offences under the legislation will be cognisable and non-bailable. As defined in the Bill, hate speech encompasses any expression spoken or written, conveyed through signs, visible representations, or electronic communication made with the intention of causing injury, disharmony, enmity, hatred, or ill-will against any person, living or deceased, or against any class, group, or community.

The Bill was moved in the House by Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, who said the proposed legislation was aimed at addressing the growing menace of hate speech and targeted violence, particularly in the age of social media, while ensuring protection for vulnerable communities.

Soon after the Bill was moved, around 14 members from the Congress, BJP, AIMIM, and CPI participated in the discussion that followed. Some members, including those from the Congress, wanted the Bill to be referred to a Select Committee, while BJP members demanded that it be withdrawn.

BRS Working President, KT Rama Rao (KTR), has unequivocally condemned the Telangana Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill being advanced by the Congress government, calling it a draconian tool to curb free speech.

KTR raised serious constitutional, democratic, and civil liberties concerns if the bill becomes law. “While preventing genuine hate speech and maintaining social harmony is an important responsibility of any government, the present framework appears dangerously broad, vague, and open to misuse,” he said.

KTR noted that instead of protecting public order, the bill risks becoming an instrument for the selective targeting of opposition leaders, critics, journalists, and ordinary citizens expressing dissent.

“The bill defines hate speech using sweeping expressions such as ‘promoting ill-will,’ ‘distorting harmony,’ and ‘spreading false information.’ These phrases are subjective and lack clear legal boundaries. Without precise definitions, enforcement becomes dependent on interpretation rather than evidence,” he noted.

AIMIM MLA Ahmed Bin Balala supported the intent of the Bill but pointed out certain shortcomings. He said propagation of religion should not be misconstrued as hate speech and suggested that the Bill be sent to a select Committee for wider consultations.

The Bill also seeks to punish organisations or institutions for hate crimes. “If the person committing an offence under this Act is an organisation or institution, every person who, at the time of the offence committed, was in charge of and was responsible to, such organisation or institution for the conduct of the business of the same, as well as such organisation or institution shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.”

After the discussion, the minister Prabhakar said that keeping in view the opinions expressed by the members, he was referring the Bill to a Select Committee for wider consultations and clause-by-clause scrutiny.