Hate Speech on Social Media: Supreme Court’s strong stance against the rising trend

Hate speech on social media has seen a significant and concerning rise in recent times. On Monday, the Supreme Court made important observations regarding this growing trend. Read the full report.

New Delhi: Nowadays, the trend of using hate speech has abruptly augmented on social media. Sometimes, these hate speeches take an ugly turn, inciting a large mob to take laws into its own hands. On Monday, the Supreme Court expressed deep concern and gave an intense reaction to this trend of hate speech on social media, reports Dynamite News correspondent.

The Supreme Court, while hearing a petition related to hate speech spreading on social media, said that these days, an attempt is being made to justify everything in the name of 'freedom of expression'; this is very dangerous. The apex court asked to take action against such hate speeches.

Hearing a petition filed by a person named Wajhat Khan, a bench of Justice BV Nagarathna and Justice Augustine George Francis Viswanathan made strong comments and strict warnings on such cases. The two-judge bench said that action against hate speech on social media is necessary, but it will also need to be ensured that no one's freedom of speech is crushed.

According to Dynamite News correspondent, the court implicitly said everything can not be justified in the name of 'freedom of expression.'

What is hate speech?

Everyone must have heard the word hate speech, which means a speech, statement, article, gesture, or post that incites hatred, discrimination, violence, or enmity against a person or community.

Or a statement that hurts someone. Let us tell you that this speech is done based on religion, caste, color, race, gender, language, nationality, and any other identity. Regarding which the Supreme Court has taken a big decision.

Main characteristics of hate speech

1. Spreading hatred: Making people's thinking negative against a community.
2. Provocative language: Promoting violence, resentment, or social tension.
3. Increasing intolerance: Propaganda against the existence, culture, or belief of a group.
4. Viral on social media: Nowadays hate speech spreads fastest through social media.

Laws related to hate speech in India

Many laws have been made in India to stop hate speech, such as Section 153A and Section 295A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the IT Act 2000. Stay tuned to Dynamite News for further updates.