In Parliament: Punjab MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney calls for stronger law to curb hate speech

Anshita Mehra

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 6

Rajya Sabha member from Punjab Vikramjit Singh Sahney raised the issue of growing menace of hate speech and religious hatred on social media platforms, urging for immediate action and a stronger legal framework to address such issues.

Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, Sahney emphasised that the misuse of social media by fringe elements to incite hatred based on caste, creed and religion was threatening the social fabric of India.

He said, “There is no discipline on social media, even for the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition or any community. People say things without restraint, with no one to stop them.”

He cited examples where minor incidents, such as a sportsman dropping a catch or a speech by a top Army official, led to derogatory comments online.

Sahney submitted a 38-page dossier detailing incidents he believes spread hate. “I checked with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, and these do not fall under the current definition of hate speech,” he noted. “Even in Punjab, it is rampant; it is happening everywhere,” he added.

Sahney pointed out that the existing Information Technology Act was outdated, as it was established before the rise of social media. He mentioned introducing a Private Member’s Bill to address the issue on Friday. “There should be a new law on this. I hope that a discussion will be held in this session, but until then, there must be zero tolerance to hate speech in our society,” Sahney added.

He called on the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to shut such accounts. “We have a fundamental right to freedom of expression, but liberty must be exercised with discipline. It only creates tension and unrest,” he said.