As many as 58 current MPs and MLAs have declared cases related to hate speech, with BJP having the maximum number of such politicians, a report by Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) said.
Among the 58 elected representatives who have declared cases of hate speech, 15 are Lok Sabha MPs, out of which 10 are from the BJP alone.
Among the 43 sitting MLAs booked for hate speeches, 17 are from the BJP, five each from the TRS and AIMIM, including Asaduddin Owaisi, three from TDP, two each from TMC, Congress, JD(U) and Shiv Sena and one each from DMK, BSP, SP and two Independent MLAs.
The sitting MLAs/MPs from other parties who have declared hate-related cases are AIMIM and Telangana Rashtra Samiti (six each), Telugu Desam Party, Shiv Sena (three each), Trinamool Congress, Congress, Independents, Janata Dal (United) with two each and the Assam-based AIDUF, Bahujan Samaj Party, DMK, PMK and Samajwadi Party with one elected representative each with hate-related cases.
State-wise, Uttar Pradesh accounts for the highest number (15) of MPs and MLAs with hate related cases. Incidentally, BJP-ruled UP is also the state that recorded the highest number of communal incidents, with a rise of 17 percent in 2017.
UP is followed by Telangana where 13 sitting MLas/MPs have declared hate-related cases, followed by Karnataka and Maharashtra (five each), Bihar (four), Andhra Pradesh (three), Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand and West Bengal (two each) and Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Assam and Delhi (one each).
ADR, which analysed the affidavits submitted by the elected candidates to the Election Commission, said it fully supported the Law Commission's report of March 2017 which suggested amendments to the model code of conduct to include 'hate speeches', which pose a "complex challenges to freedom of speech and expression."
In the last five years, 198 candidates with declared cases related to hate speech have contested elections for State Assemblies, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
Also, in the last five years, 28 Independent candidates with declared cases related to hate speech have contested elections for State Assemblies, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
