Hyderabad, March 30 (NationPress) The Telangana Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, 2026, has been sent to a Select Committee of the State Legislative Assembly for comprehensive examination following concerns raised by members regarding certain provisions and the potential for misuse.

Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, who sponsored the Bill, initiated a motion to refer it to a Select Committee. R. Prakash Reddy, who was presiding, declared the motion's approval through a voice vote.

The Bill, which was previously presented in the Assembly by the government, stipulates penalties of 1 to 7 years in prison and a fine of ₹50,000 for hate crimes, with repeat offenders facing sentences of up to 10 years.

Members from various parties voiced worries about the possible misuse of certain clauses within the Bill.

Previously, Minister Ponnam Prabhakar introduced the Bill as a measure to combat hate speech on social media. He informed the Assembly that the government deemed this legislation essential for curbing and preventing the spread, publication, or promotion of hate speech and hate crimes that incite discord or hostility against individuals, groups, or organizations.

The minister emphasized that the Bill aims to impose strict and deterrent penalties for such offenses while ensuring adequate compensation for victims affected.

However, certain clauses, including one that shields officials from accountability, faced significant backlash from both the BJP and the CPI. They raised concerns that the law could be exploited for vindictive actions against individuals or groups.

The opposition BJP and the CPI, an ally of the ruling Congress party, urged the government to either withdraw the Bill or send it to a Select Committee for further evaluation. Some ruling party members also suggested a detailed review of the Bill’s provisions by the Select Committee.

With the primary opposition, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) members suspended from the Assembly for the second consecutive day, the party's position was articulated by K. T. Rama Rao, the working president and MLA, via the social media platform 'X'.

“The Telangana Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill 2026, proposed by the Congress government, is a draconian instrument to suppress free speech. While it is crucial to prevent genuine hate speech and uphold social harmony, the current framework of the Bill appears excessively broad, ambiguous, and prone to misuse,” the former minister stated.

“Rather than safeguarding public order, the Bill could transform into a tool for selectively targeting opposition leaders, critics, journalists, social media activists, and ordinary citizens expressing dissent. Our nation already has multiple legal mechanisms addressing hate speech, incitement to violence, defamation, and public disorder. Instead of bolstering the enforcement of existing laws, the Telangana Congress government seems to be establishing a parallel framework that amplifies executive discretion without introducing necessary safeguards. I urge the state government to retract this draconian Bill immediately,” he added.