The court reiterated its earlier judgments that police officers must register FIRs immediately on receiving a complaint about hate speech
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The Supreme Court on Wednesday (April 29, 2026) said that hate speech and rumour-mongering stemmed from an “us versus them” mindset and worked to corrupt a sense of fraternity in a diverse society. However, the court declined to direct the enactment of specific laws against hate speech and crimes, instead calling for effective enforcement of existing laws that cover the offence.
“Hate speech, at its core, stems from a perception of difference that breeds exclusion, where the ‘other’ is viewed as alien, inferior, or undeserving of equal regard,” a Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta observed in a 125-page judgment.
Published – April 29, 2026 11:57 am IST
