Supreme Court of India Reserves Decision on Hate Speech Petitions

The Supreme Court of India reserved its decision on January 20, 2026, regarding multiple petitions filed since 2020 that alleged a failure by authorities to regulate hate speech. A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta reviewed cases involving narratives such as 'Corona Jihad,' the television program 'UPSC Jihad,' and speeches delivered at Dharam Sansad gatherings.

While the bench indicated that most of the cases would be closed, the court will continue to hear a specific matter involving a 2021 hate crime against a Muslim cleric in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Petitioners claimed that enforcement agencies are reluctant to take action against individuals linked to ruling establishments. Conversely, the Additional Solicitor General representing the Government of India stated there has been substantial compliance with a 2023 court directive requiring states to register FIRs suo motu in hate speech cases.

The court has requested concise written submissions from all parties before determining if additional guidelines are necessary to curb hate speech. The Election Commission of India submitted that it already possesses guidelines to manage hate speech during election periods, while Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind provided evidence of a trend targeting religious personalities.