The Telangana Legislative Assembly on Monday referred the Telangana Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, 2026 to a select committee after members from across party lines raised objections, sought clarifications and suggested amendments to several provisions of the proposed law.
The bill, which seeks to curb rising hate speech and hate crimes in the state, was introduced in the Assembly by state Backward Classes Minister Poonam Prabhakar on behalf of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. The bill seeks to impose severe punishment, including imprisonment for up to 10 years and a fine $1 lakh, with these crimes classified as cognizable and non-bailable.
The minister said that the draft law was submitted to address the increasing misuse of digital social media platforms to spread hatred, incite hostility, and disturb public order. “Since the current legal framework is inadequate to deal with the changing nature, spread and impact of hate speech and hate crimes, the government wants to enact a comprehensive law,” Prabhakar said.
During discussion of the bill on Monday, several opposition members expressed concerns about the potential for misuse of such a law.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader in the Assembly, Maheswar Reddy, strongly opposed the legislation, saying it could become a tool to curb dissent and suppress criticism of the government. He said the draft law lacks clear definitions of both “hate speech” and “hate crimes,” and warned that vague language could lead to abuse.
“It poses a serious threat to civil liberties and amounts to a death warrant for freedom of expression,” Reddy said, and claimed it could be used to prevent people from questioning the government’s failings. He called for the draft law to be referred to a select committee for amendments and broader scrutiny.
The draft law currently defines hate speech as “any expression disseminated or circulated… in full view of the public, with the intent to cause hurt, disharmony, feelings of hostility, hatred or ill will against a living or dead person, a class or group of persons or society, to satisfy any adverse interest.”
Prejudice on the grounds of religion, race, caste, community, tribe, gender, sexual orientation, place of birth, residence, language or disability is considered an “adverse interest”.
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) Ahmed Bin Ballala expressed support for the broader objective of the bill but said some aspects needed improvement. “Propagation of religion should not be automatically interpreted or criminalized as hate speech. Careful drafting is needed to avoid unintended consequences,” he said, favoring sending the draft law to a select committee so it can undergo wider consultations and include safeguards against misinterpretation.
Communist Party of India MLA Kunamneni Sambasiva Rao went further and demanded withdrawal of the bill, particularly objecting to the provision that could make an entire political party, organization or institution liable for the actions or statements of a single individual.
He questioned the fairness of such a requirement, said it was unreasonable to hold an entire organization accountable for statements made by a single leader or member, and asked for this aspect of the proposed law to be reconsidered.
Members of the US Congress have defended the need for a strong law to check rising hate content and abuse on social media.
Pointing out the increasing misuse of online platforms, Khairatabad MLA Danam Nagender said objectionable and provocative comments are often made on the pretext of exercising freedom of expression.
He added: “There is no need to withdraw the bill, but some changes may be needed before it is passed.”
Taking into account the concerns, objections and suggestions expressed by members during the discussion, the government ultimately decided not to push for the immediate passage of the bill in its current form.
In response to the discussion, the Minister made a motion to refer the legislation to a select committee to study it in detail, which the House of Representatives subsequently approved.
The draft law stipulates penalties for hate crimes. A person convicted of a hate crime may face imprisonment for a minimum of one year, and up to seven years, in addition to a fine of $50,000. In cases involving repeat or repeated crimes, the penalty becomes more severe, ranging from two to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of $1 lakh.
