On Wednesday, the Supreme Court of India dismissed a petition by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay that sought separate offenses for hate speech and rumor-mongering. The bench, comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, stated that existing penal laws are sufficient to address hate speech, which they described as antithetical to the constitutional value of fraternity. The court emphasized the need for public figures to exercise restraint in their speech, noting that words can have significant consequences in a diverse society. It also highlighted that hate speech undermines the moral fabric of the Republic and contradicts India's civilizational ethos of unity. While the court found no legislative vacuum, it encouraged the Union of India and legislative authorities to consider amendments proposed by the Law Commission in 2017. The judgment also addressed ongoing issues regarding police inaction on hate speech cases, asserting that the problem lies not in the lack of laws but in their uneven application. The court directed that this judgment be circulated to all high courts for potential implementation guidelines.