Understanding and Combating Online Hate Crimes

Online hate crimes occur when biased opinions about a person's race, religion, sex, disability, gender, or other preferences manifest as hateful online posts. Although these posts may not always constitute a criminal offense, they are equivalent to crimes in their capacity to inflict harm.

Often, individuals online can express extreme bias and make judgmental comments based on someone's color, creed, religion, race, sex, or gender. These hateful remarks can be spiteful, inflammatory, and even incite violence.

Why Should We Be Concerned?

Online hate crimes can lead to strong, insensitive, and biased comments or messages. The reactions provoked are often judgmental, socially biased, and deeply disturbing. This toxic environment can damage social cohesion and escalate into real-world violence.

Warning Signs to Watch Out For

• Comments based on sex, religion, race, or gender.
• Physically threatening posts or comments.
• Biased, judgmental, and strong reactive posts.

How to Safeguard Ourselves Against Online Hate Crimes

Given the potential harm these offenses can cause, it's essential to be cautious and aware when engaging online:

1. Avoid Biased Posts: Never post or support any kind of biased content.
2. Do Not Retaliate: Refrain from reacting immediately to controversial posts; take time to verify the truth.
3. Be Mindful: Consider public perceptions when posting comments on sensitive topics.

What Action to Take if Affected by Online Hate Crimes

If you are a victim of online hate crimes, here are the steps to take:

1. File a Complaint: Register a complaint at your nearest cybercrime police station.
2. Report Online: You can also register an anonymous complaint on cybercrime.gov.in.
3. Contact Social Media: Report the issue to the help center of the relevant social media platform.

Legal Actions and Provisions

Several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) address offenses related to online hate crimes. Here are some key provisions:

• Section 153A: Promotes enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, caste, or community and commits acts prejudicial to maintaining harmony.
• Section 295A: Punishes deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings.
• Section 505: Relates to statements conducing to public mischief.
• Section 509: Addresses acts intended to insult the modesty of a woman.

Section 153A of IPC states: Whoever, by words, either spoken or written, or by signs or by visible representations or otherwise, promotes or attempts to promote, on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, caste or community or any other ground whatsoever, disharmony or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will between different religious, racial, language or regional groups or castes or communities, or commits any act prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony, shall be punished with imprisonment up to three years, or with fine, or both.

Section 295(A) of IPC states: Whoever, with deliberate and malicious intention of outraging the religious feelings of any class of [citizens of India], by words, either spoken or written, or by signs or by visible representations or otherwise, insults or attempts to insult the religion or the religious beliefs of that class, shall be punished with imprisonment up to three years, or with fine, or both.