Telangana’s Hate Speech and Hate Crimes Bill referred to select committee as members raise concerns

In a development without precedent, the Telangana Legislative Assembly has referred a bill on controlling hate speech that causes disharmony to the select committee.

The contents of the Bill – Telangana Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Act, 2026 – introduced in the House on Monday, March 30, 2026, caused serious consternation among the members of the House cutting across political lines and was referred to the select committee for further scrutiny.

The government submitted the draft law to the Parliament, expressing its concern about the visible increase in hate speech and hate crimes, which have the potential to spread rapidly and harm public order and social harmony.

“Such actions undermine constitutional values ​​such as equality, dignity and fraternity by promoting hostility, hatred and disharmony among individuals and groups based on religion, caste, ethnicity, language, gender and other identities,” the bill said. However, the current framework does not comprehensively address the evolving nature and manifestations of hate speech and hate crimes and requires specific and robust legislation to effectively prevent, regulate and punish such behavior, as well as protect and compensate those affected.

The Government therefore considered that legislation was necessary to prevent and prevent the dissemination, publication or promotion of hate speech and hate crimes that promote disharmony or hatred towards individuals, groups or organizations in society. It will provide for strict and dissuasive penalties for the commission of such crimes and provide for adequate compensation to affected victims.

The Administrative Magistrate or Special Enforcement Magistrate may, after investigation, take necessary preventive measures if there is reason to believe that a repeat offender is likely to commit an offense or threatens to commit any offense under the law and is of the opinion that there are sufficient grounds for prosecution.

Interestingly, the Bill obliges any person associated with an organization or institution committing an offense within the scope of the Law to have a lawsuit filed against them and be punished accordingly, for being a member of the organization or group. The bill gives the designated officer the authority to direct any service provider, intermediary, person or entity to block or remove hate crime material from its domain, including electronic media, while isolating officials from the domain of action.

“No suit, prosecution or other legal action may be instituted against public officials for anything done or intended to be done in good faith under the Act or the rules made under the Act,” the bill states.

The clauses have sparked strong opposition from the opposition BJP and CPI, who have expressed concern over possible misuse of the provisions that provide scope for taking vindictive steps against individuals or organisations.

While they asked the government to either withdraw the bill or refer it to a select committee, some members of the ruling party also wanted the bill to be referred to the select committee for detailed examination of the provisions. Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, who piloted the bill, said it would be referred to the select committee for detailed scrutiny.