Hyderabad, March 30: Advisor to Telangana Government Mohammed Ali Shabbir on Monday hailed the unanimous decision of the Legislative Assembly to refer the Telangana Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, 2026 to a Select Committee, congratulating Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy for what he described as a bold and decisive step to curb hate speech and protect social harmony.
Stating that only Congress governments have demonstrated the political will to act firmly against hate speech, Shabbir Ali cited Karnataka as an example and said Telangana was now taking a similar progressive lead through legislation.
The Bill, introduced by Legislative Affairs Minister D Sridhar Babu on behalf of the Chief Minister, proposes a comprehensive legal framework to deal with hate speech and hate crimes. It provides for imprisonment of not less than one year, extendable up to seven years, along with a fine of Rs 50,000.
Repeat offences would attract stricter punishment, with jail terms ranging from two to ten years and fines up to Rs 1 lakh. The offences under the proposed law are non-bailable, indicating the seriousness with which the State intends to address such violations.
According to the draft, existing legal provisions are inadequate to tackle the evolving and complex nature of hate speech and related offences, making a focused and robust law necessary to prevent, regulate and penalise such acts while ensuring protection for victims.
Welcoming the referral to the Select Committee, Shabbir Ali said the move would allow comprehensive deliberations and ensure that the final legislation is strong, precise and constitutionally sound. He termed the initiative a significant step towards reinforcing constitutional values and preserving communal harmony.
He said that while freedom of speech is a fundamental right under Article 19(1)(a), it is subject to reasonable restrictions under Article 19(2) in the interest of public order, morality and the integrity of the nation. He observed that the growing misuse of religion and identity-based narratives in public discourse has created an urgent need for clear legal intervention.
Shabbir Ali noted that constitutional guarantees of religious freedom are undermined when beliefs are deliberately insulted or targeted, adding that unchecked hate speech poses a serious threat to social cohesion and public peace.
He asserted that the objective of the proposed law is not to suppress dissent or criticism, but to prevent deliberate attempts to spread hatred, incite hostility and disturb communal balance.
Dismissing concerns raised by opposition parties, he said apprehensions about misuse should be addressed through appropriate safeguards and legislative scrutiny, rather than opposing a necessary reform.
He further stated that the law would instil confidence among minorities and vulnerable sections by assuring them of protection against hate-driven narratives, thereby strengthening trust in governance and democratic institutions.
Expressing confidence in the legislative process, Shabbir Ali said the Assembly and the Select Committee would deliver a balanced and effective law that reflects Telangana’s commitment to secularism, equality and fraternity. (eom)