Podcasts News The Big Story 357: Is Hate Speech Now A Norm to Counter Anti-CAA Protests?

357: Is Hate Speech Now A Norm to Counter Anti-CAA Protests?

Published: Jan. 16, 2020, 3:31 p.m.

The United Nations defines hate speech to be a menace to democratic values, social stability and peace. Unfortunately, that kind of menace, that kind of threat to peace continues to be fuelled into our society from our own leaders and politicians often.

Only last month, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said he would pelt stones at those lying about the citizenship law.

This is just one of the 25 instances of hate speech in the last one month since the Citizenship Act was passed in the Parliament. At 25, it might just be the most number of cases of hate speech in India in a month, according to a report on NDTV.

Statements like, “Our governments shot those damaging public property like dogs" or “tumhe thok denge...at a time we want” are being made –– at public gatherings, on national TV debates, and even at rallies.

So, let's talk about this. Why is hate speech so dangerous? Why are we failing to hold those guilty accountable? What kind of laws do we have in our country to address this dangerous incitement of violence?

Producer and Host: Shorbori Purkayastha
Guests: Kavita Krishnan, Secretary of the All India Progressive Women's Association
Vakasha Sachdev, Legal Editor, The Quint
Editor: Shelly Walia

References:

  1. 58 SITTING MPS, MLAS FACE HATE SPEECH CASES, REVEALS ADR REPORT
  2. CAA Effect? Big Jump In Hate Speech Amid Protests Against Law
  3. UNITED NATIONS STRATEGY AND PLAN OF ACTION ON HATE SPEECH
  4. Senior BJP Leaders Are Giving India a Free Tutorial in Hate Speech

Music: Big Bang Fuzz

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