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Hate speech

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January 06, 2022

What is the issue?

A religious conclave in Haridwar witnessed inflammatory and provocative speeches by proponents of Hindutva.

What was the Hate speech about?

  • According to reports leaders of some religious organisations called for organised violence similar to Myanmar-type ‘cleansing campaign’.
  • Also if the government resisted the formation of a ‘Hindu Rashtra’ they threatened to organise a revolt similar to one in 1857.
  • Political parties and concerned citizens have termed these as ‘hate speech’ and demanded legal action.

What is Hate speech?

  • There is no specific legal definition of ‘hate speech’.
  • According to Law commission report hate speech is an incitement to hatred primarily against a group of persons in terms of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief and the like.
  • Hate speech can be of any form (writings, actions, signs and representations).

How hate speech is treated in Indian law?

  • In general, hate speech is considered a limitation on free speech.
  • The intention is to prevent such speech that exposes a person or section of society to hate, violence, ridicule or indignity.
  • Sections 153A and 505 of IPC deal with inflammatory speeches and expressions.
  • Under Section 153A
    • promotion of enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc.,
    • doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony

is an offence punishable with 3 years of imprisonment.

  • However if the act is committed in religious gatherings or ceremonies the term of imprisonment shall be 5 years.
  • Under Section 505 of IPC
  • 505 (1) - Making statements conducing to public mischief is an offence.
  • However the statement should be one that
    • promotes mutiny by the armed forces,
    • causes fear so that people are induced to commit an offence against the state or public tranquillity
    • intend to incite or incites any class or community to commit an offence against another class or community.
  • This attracts a jail term of up to 3 years.
  • 505(2) – Making statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes is an offence.
  • 505 (3) - The same offence will attract up to a 5 year jail term if it takes place in a place of worship, or in any assembly engaged in religious worship or religious ceremonies.

What are the recommendations of Law Commission?

  • The Law Commission has proposed
    • to add separate offences to the IPC
    • to criminalise hate speech quite specifically rather than being subsumed in the existing sections
  • It has proposed to add two new sections Section 153C and Section 505A.
  • Section 153C should make it an offence if anyone
    • uses gravely threatening words (spoken/written /signs/visible representations) with the intention to cause fear or alarm.
    • advocates hatred that causes incitement to violence, on grounds of religion, race, caste or community, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, place of birth, residence, language, disability or tribe.
  • It proposes a two-year jail term or a fine of ₹5,000 or both.
  • Section 505A proposes to criminalise words or display of writing or signs that are
    • gravely threatening or derogatory, within the hearing or sight of a person.
    • causing fear or alarm with intent to provoke the use of unlawful violence against that person or another.
  • It proposes a prison term of up to one year or a fine up to ₹5,000 or both.
  • Similar proposals have been made by the M.P. Bezbaruah Committee and the T.K. Viswanathan Committee.
  • Now, The Committee for Reforms in Criminal Laws is examining the issue of having specific provisions to tackle hate speech.

Reference

  1. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/explained-what-is-hate-speech-and-how-is-it-treated-in-indian-law/article38089872.ece
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