Karnataka Cabinet clears hate speech and crimes Bill
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Bengaluru: The Karnataka Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, on Thursday cleared a new Bill aimed at curbing hate speech and related offences in the state.
The proposed legislation, titled the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention and Control) Bill, 2025, was approved along with several other Bills during the Cabinet meeting. The draft law seeks to prevent hate speech and hate crimes and to minimise their impact on individuals, groups and the wider community.
The government plans to introduce the Bill in both Houses of the state legislature during the winter session beginning on December 8 at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi.
The move is expected to trigger a strong response from the Opposition. Leaders of the BJP and JD(S) have already alleged that the legislation is aimed at leaders associated with Hindutva groups, particularly in the communally sensitive coastal belt.
The Congress government proposed the Bill in the backdrop of a series of communal revenge killings in Mangaluru district that drew national attention. The state has already set up a special force to tackle violence in the region, while dedicated wings are monitoring social media content that could incite unrest.
Under the proposed law, those found guilty of committing a hate crime may face imprisonment of up to three years, a fine of up to ₹5,000, or both. The draft states that such offences will be non-cognisable and non-bailable, and will be tried by a first-class magistrate.
According to the Bill, a hate crime is deemed to have been committed if a person causes harm, incites harm or spreads hatred against another on the basis of religion, race, caste, community, sex, gender, sexual orientation, place of birth, residence, language, disability or tribe. Any act driven by prejudice or intolerance against these identities will fall within the ambit of the offence.
Home Minister G. Parameshwara told reporters that the legislation was not intended to target the Bharatiya Janata Party or its leaders.
Responding to questions on whether the move was directed at the BJP, he said the law would be applicable irrespective of which party holds power in future. He pointed out that the Bill does not mention the BJP, Congress or Janata Dal (Secular), and said it was being brought in view of present-day requirements and to strengthen existing laws.
(Inputs from IANS)