Hyderabad, April 29: The Supreme Court on Wednesday observed that existing criminal laws are sufficient to deal with hate speech and inflammatory remarks in the country.
The court said there was no legal vacuum requiring fresh guidelines or new laws on the issue.
Supreme Court On Hate Speech Laws
A bench comprising Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta heard a petition seeking new guidelines to control hate speech and religiously provocative content.
During the hearing, the bench stated that adequate legal provisions already exist under criminal law to address such offences.
The court observed that current laws contain sufficient punishments and safeguards against speeches that disturb religious harmony and public peace.
The bench further noted that the judiciary does not possess constitutional authority to frame new laws.
However, the court clarified that it can direct competent authorities or legislatures to consider lawmaking if required.
The judges said courts cannot step into the role of lawmakers by issuing fresh legal frameworks in such matters.
The Supreme Court also advised complainants to approach senior police officials or the judiciary if police fail to register FIRs in hate speech cases.
The petition had sought new directions to regulate and block inflammatory and religious content.
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