Control political hate speech before introducing Hate Speech Bill, KTR tells State government

BRS working president KT Rama Rao criticised the proposed Hate Speech Bill, saying the Congress should first restrain its own leaders. He also alleged increasing censorship of social media, defended freedom of expression and questioned claims made on several political issues

Hyderabad: BRS working president KT Rama Rao on Saturday said the Congress government should first ensure that its own leaders refrain from making hate speeches before introducing the proposed Hate Speech Bill in the Assembly. Addressing a programme in Hyderabad, he said the Bill should begin with the government itself. Congress leaders should first control their language before accusing others of indulging in hate speech, he remarked.

Rama Rao alleged that both the State and Central governments were attempting to impose censorship on media content and publications. He claimed that several posts and reels shared on social media platforms over the last four days had been forcibly removed. He further alleged that people were being jailed for speaking or sharing the truth. Citing an example, he said a person identified as Nalla Balu was jailed for 15 days in Telangana for merely reposting a post on X that did not contain any objectionable content.

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Speaking at a seminar organised by Nava Telangana, a Telugu newspaper, here on Saturday, KT Rama Rao referred to TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud’s remarks on curbing fake news on social media. He said content on both mainstream and social media should be fact-checked. He stressed that a false campaign was launched claiming that Pragathi Bhavan had 150 rooms and gold commodes. “Who is staying there now? Are there 150 rooms? And who spread this misinformation?” he asked.

Rama Rao also questioned allegations surrounding the Kaleshwaram project. “A project worth Rs 84,000 crore was branded as a Rs 1 lakh crore scam. Is that not fake news?” he asked. He further claimed that reports alleging that film actors’ phones were tapped later turned out to be baseless after police officials said they had no details of the actors or their phone numbers.

Recalling recent Gen Z protests at Jantar Mantar, Rama Rao said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had responded with a social media post at midnight. While traditional media could be managed, social media remained crucial for ensuring accountability in governments, he said.

He also referred to a complaint of sexual assault allegedly involving the son of a Union minister and questioned whether the issue would have received attention without social media. Similarly, he asked which media organisation had highlighted the alleged assaults on people at Lagacherla or questioned the government’s alleged intolerance towards journalists.

Stating that the youth had become more politically aware, Rama Rao said they were neither afraid of central investigation agencies nor could they be intimidated. “We have seen who emerged victorious in the battle between WhatsApp uncles and Instagram youth,” he said.

He maintained that while social media should not be misused for abuse or derogatory remarks, imposing restrictions on it would undermine the constitutional right to freedom of speech and expression.