Hate speech has been recognised as an exception to free speech. Listing the legislations around hate speech in India, discuss the challenges faced by the government in countering it.

Q) Hate speech has been recognised as an exception to free speech. Listing the legislations around hate speech in India, discuss the challenges faced by the government in countering it. (15 marks, 250 words)

घृणास्पद भाषण को मुक्त भाषण के अपवाद के रूप में मान्यता दी गई है। भारत में घृणास्पद भाषण से संबंधित कानूनों को सूचीबद्ध करते हुए, इसका मुकाबला करने में सरकार के सामने आने वाली चुनौतियों पर चर्चा करें।

Demand of the Question– This question demands in-depth understanding of fundamental right of freedom of speech and its reasonable restrictions, along with its links to hate speech and current context.

Directive Word- The first part, though without any keywords, demands justification based on Constitutional articles and laws. Listing- demands mentioning the laws with a short description of them. Discuss-This demands listing the challenges, describing them and mentioning measures to fight them.

Structure of the Answer

Intro– Describe Freedom of Speech along with articles and its reasonable restrictions. Link it with hate speech.

Body– In the first part, how has or how not is hate speech recognized as an exception to free speech. In the second part, mention the laws along with constitutional provisions around hate speech and give a short description of the same. In the third part, mention the challenges the Govt encounters in fighting hate speech. Also, along with it, mention what has been done to fight it. Use Supreme Court judgements and laws.

Conclusion– State the importance of free speech and the need to tackle hate speech simultaneously. Suggest some ways for better incorporating these in laws.

Part of Syllabus– GS Paper-2- Indian Constitution- features, significant provisions and basic structure.