Telangana’s Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, 2026, has been forwarded to a Select Committee of the State Legislative Assembly for thorough examination due to concerns raised by members regarding certain provisions and potential misuse.
The Bill, introduced by Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, suggests penalties of 1-7 years in jail and a Rs 50,000 fine for hate crimes, with repeat offenders facing up to 10 years of imprisonment. Members from various parties expressed worries about potential misuse of specific clauses in the Bill.
Minister Ponnam Prabhakar highlighted the necessity of the legislation to combat hate speech on social media, aiming to prevent the spread of content that incites disharmony or hatred in society. The Bill aims to impose strict punishments for such offenses and ensure adequate compensation for affected victims.
Opposition from the BJP and the CPI arose over clauses that exempt officials from accountability, fearing possible misuse against individuals or organizations. The opposition parties urged the government to withdraw the Bill or refer it to a Select Committee for further examination of its provisions.
