Telangana police slapped a six-month externment from Hyderabad against controversial film critic Kathi Mahesh for his alleged hate speech hurting the religious sentiments of a section of society on several occasions.
Director General of Police M. Mahendar Reddy said that Mahesh’s hate-filled statements would lead to potential threat to the law and order situation in the State. In a press conference here on Monday, he said that the controversial film critic has been taken out of the city to be dropped at his native place in Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh.
Similarly, the permission to organise counter-protest programmes against the statements made by Mahesh was not permitted in the State. “His derogatory statement has led to counter agitation by different groups and is likely to result in serious disturbance to public peace and order,” he said.
Freedom of speech is a fundamental right, but a comment should not hurt others’ sentiments, he said. “Further, if he makes any hatred comment on social media or other platforms which would disturb peace in the State, they will be viewed seriously and action will be initiated as per the provision of law,” he said, adding that nobody shall be spared for indulging in such activities.
The Chief of State Police said that show-cause notice was issued to a Telugu news channel for telecasting malicious content hurting religious sentiments, under Section 16 and 17 of Cable Television Network (Regulation) Act of 1995 for violating the programming code. “Television channels cannot be permitted to act as platforms for nurturing and promoting divisive tendencies among sections of society, which is a violation of law,” he said.
All the district superintendents and commissioners were instructed to deal sternly without fear or favour in accordance with the law in all such situations, he said.