hate speech

Hello!  

Hate speech can be referred to words that intent to spread hatred against a group which can be based on race, ethnicity, gender, s*xual orientation, religious beliefs and can lead to violence at times. The word hate speech has not to be defined under any law but various laws had been made to penalize the act of hate speech.  

Section 153A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 penalizes the promotion of enmity between different groups on the grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, by using words spoken or written.  

Section 295A IPC penalizes deliberate and malicious acts done with the intention to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs.  

Section 123(3A) and 125 of the Representation of The People Act, 1951, prohibits the advancement of enmity on the grounds of religion, race, caste, community, or language in connection with the election.  

Section 7 of the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955, prohibits incitement and encouragement of untouchability through words, spoken or written or signs or visible representation.   

Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 also laud down provisions for the state government and the magistrate to prevent people from spreading such words that are punishable under IPC.  

Regards  

Vasundhara Singh  

Hello sir, greetings of the day.
As per your query, I am explaining you the provisions of Indian Penal Code dealing with punishment for hate speech against particularly caste. Section 153A of Indian Penal Code states that promoting enmity between different groups on several grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony like whoever by words, either spoken or written, promotes or attempts to promote, on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, caste or community or any other ground whatsoever, disharmony or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will between different religious, racial, language or regional groups or castes or communities, or commits any act which is prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony between different religious, racial, language or regional groups or castes or communities, and which disturbs or is likely to disturb the public tranquillity, shall be punished with imprisonment which can be extend to three years, or with fine, or with both. Section 153B of the IPC, criminalizes imputations and assertions by speech which is directed towards certain members of a group which arises by virtue of them being a member of such a community prejudicial to national integration holding them liable for such speech. Section 295A of the IPC 1860, which criminalizes deliberate and malicious acts that outrage the religious feelings of any class of people by insulting their religion or religious beliefs.
Hope this solves your query.
Regards
Nirali Nayak
Law Student