In Telangana today, posting on social media against the Congress government could earn you a “history sheet.” The move was once reserved for hardened cyber criminals.
Ironically, lawmakers enjoy High Court protection for their hate speeches or misinformation campaigns. However, ordinary citizens risk being branded cyber-offenders. Free speech is being buried under the excuse of “cybersecurity.” Is democracy in a Congress-ruled state slowly being reduced to a monitored whisper?
How Telangana Made Dissent a Criminal Habit
The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau can now “manage” what it calls “habitual social media offenders.” Media reports reveal the chilling details of an internal communication. As per reports, people who post against the government will be treated like cyber-criminals, placed under surveillance, and tracked through suspect sheets.
Telangana will use the same tool used against serial offenders, gangsters, and murderers on social media “offenders”.
In April 2025, police even held a special training camp on “investigation into social media-related cases.” But here’s the catch: the IT Act, 2000; doesn’t criminalize posts or opinions. At most, content can be taken down. By equating criticism with organized crime, Telangana has crossed into a territory where posting a meme could put you in the same league as a mafia boss.
The opposition isn’t mincing words, BRS’s social media in-charge Manne Krishank, facing charges for allegedly posting AI-generated videos on the Kancha Gachibowli forest destruction. He called it harassment in the name of “offences.” Another member, Konatham Dileep, faces similar heat.
“This is against democratic values and free speech,” Krishank warns.
Politicians Get a Free Pass—The Public Gets History Sheets
While citizens are threatened with police surveillance, the Telangana High Court has protected lawmakers from criminal charges for their political speeches. The irony writes itself: a neta can spew venom, spread fake claims, or inflame communities with impunity. However, if a citizen mocks or questions the ruling party online, they risk being tagged a habitual offender.
The Hindu spoke with independent researcher Srinivas Kodali, who pointed out that history sheets were meant for repeat offenders of grave crimes like murder or theft.
Using them against social media users is “a clear case of abuse.” He notes that this has no legal backing – only police discretion. The CON party government calls it “cyber security.” Critics call it state-sponsored censorship that mimics the 1976 Emergency standards of speech control. In reality, it looks more like a shield for politicians and a sword against the public.
Telangana’s Free Speech Funeral: Managed Democracy in Action
In Hyderabad’s Old City, police already force history-sheeters to share live locations and submit social media activity. Now, this tactic is being expanded to include anyone who offends the political class.
This is not cyber law – it’s cyber policing of thought.
And it strikes at the very root of democracy: the right to criticize those in power. Telangana’s Congress government is using a criminal lens to monitor citizens, while ensuring their own immunity under judicial cover. Today it’s memes and videos, tomorrow it could be WhatsApp forwards, and the day after, maybe even private conversations. Therefore, the death of free speech in Telangana isn’t coming – it’s already here. And it has a history sheet ready for anyone who dares to speak.
