Telangana takes a stand: Bill targets hate speech and hate crimes with strict penalties

The Telengana goverment in a landmark move has introduced the Telengana Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, 2026 in its assembly, according to Roushan Ali's Times of India report.

The bill initiated by the IT and industries minister D Sridhar Babu, on behalf of the Chief Minister states that anyone guilty of commiting hate crime shall be punished with imprisonment for not less than one year, extending upto seven years with a fine of Rs 50,000.

The Bill also includes the provision of repeated offenders with punishment not less than two years, extendable to 10 years and a fine of Rs.1 lakh.


Also Read: Telangana government introduces policy to provide jobs for sportspersons

The court may also award adequate compensation to the victim(s) taking in into consideration the injury caused due to the crime, based on the gravity and nature of the impact. The Bill states the offences as cognizable, non-bailable and triable by judicial magistrate of first class.

As applicable under the provisions of Chapter IX of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.

The Bill would be put up to the Governor and eventually the assent of the President, after passing both the Houses, in accordance with Article 254(2) of the Constitution.

The Bill has been introduced, with the goal to curb the increasing incidents of hate speech and hate crimes, particularly through social media, which potentially can cause serious harm to public law and order.

As stated in the bill, "Hate speech includes any expression which is made, published, or circulated, in words either spoken or written or by signs or by visible representations or through electronic communication or otherwise, in public view, with an intention to cause injury, disharmony or feelings of enmity or hatred or ill-will against person alive or dead, class or group of persons or community, to meet any prejudicial interest".

Also Read: Telangana Assembly passes Bill aims at ensuring financial security for senior citizens

The present legal framework does not provide adequate coverage to the ever changing nature of hate crimes and hate speeches, necessitating a dedicated and up-to-date legislation to effectively prevent, regulate and penalise offenders, with the additional and equally important goal to protecting the victims.

"It is, therefore, considered necessary to enact a legislation to curb and prevent the dissemination, publication, or promotion of hate speech and hate crimes that incite disharmony or hatred in society against any person, group of persons, or organisations; provide for stringent and deterrent punishment for the commission of such offences; and ensure adequate compensation to victims affected by such acts," the Bill states.

A designated officer, as deemed fit by the state government would be empowered to direct any service platforms, agencies or personnel to block or remove the offensive material from their respective domains and electronic media.

(With TOI inputs)