Revanth Reddy to introduce Telangana hate speech bill
HYDERABAD: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Thursday said the state government will introduce a bill on hate speech in the upcoming Assembly session, asserting that tougher laws are needed to preserve peace and public order.
Speaking at a consultative meeting organised by Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, the chief minister said the proposed law would act as a deterrent against speeches that insult religions or communities.
Political challenge over Muslim quota
Taking aim at Union home minister Amit Shah, Reddy challenged the BJP to either cancel the 4% Muslim reservation or “come to power in Telangana” to do so. He reiterated that the quota was based on social and educational backwardness, not religion.
Modelled on Karnataka legislation
The proposed legislation, inspired by Karnataka’s recent moves, seeks penalties for hate speech to protect social harmony. The chief minister said existing provisions, including Section 153A of the Indian Penal Code—now under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita—were inadequate to curb repeat offenders.
Caste census data, political charges
Reddy said the government was ready to submit detailed Muslim population data collected in the state’s caste census to the Supreme Court to defend the quota. He said Muslims constitute 12.56% of Telangana’s population.
He also accused the Bharat Rashtra Samithi of acting as a “B-team” that helped the BJP improve its vote share in the recent Lok Sabha elections, and urged minority voters to back Muslim candidates in the upcoming municipal polls.
