BELAGAVI: The Karnataka Assembly on Thursday passed the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, 2025, overruling strong opposition protests and paving the way for a new law that makes hate speech a criminal offence punishable with imprisonment.
The Bill, introduced by Home Minister G. Parameshwara, was opposed by the BJP, which argued that it infringes upon the constitutional right to freedom of expression. The House witnessed repeated disruptions as Speaker U.T. Khader took up the legislation—tabled on December 10—and put it to vote amid uproar.
Tensions escalated after BJP legislators stormed the well of the House, protesting a remark made by state minister Byrathi Suresha regarding coastal districts, which was later expunged from the records. BJP MLA V. Sunil Kumar alleged that the Bill was pushed through without adequately addressing the opposition’s concerns.
Detailing the provisions, Parameshwara said that a first-time offence of hate speech or hate crime would attract a jail term of up to seven years and a fine of ₹50,000. Repeat offences would carry a minimum sentence of two years, which could extend to 10 years, along with a fine of ₹1 lakh. The offences under the proposed law would be cognisable and non-bailable.
The Bill defines hate speech as any expression made in public view with the intent to cause injury, disharmony, enmity, hatred, or ill-will against an individual or group on grounds such as religion, race, caste, gender, sexual orientation, language, or tribe.
Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka criticised the legislation as draconian and prone to misuse, warning that it could curb free speech and threaten press freedom. He also questioned the need for a separate law when existing penal provisions already address such offences and objected to the use of the Kannada term “dwesha aparadaha”, triggering further disorder in the House.
