Belagavi, December 10 (IANS). Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday said the introduction of the Hate Speech Regulation Bill in the Assembly is part of “our government’s agenda” aimed at “maintaining peace and law and order” in the state. Speaking to the media, he said hate speech “cannot be tolerated at all.”
The Congress government in Karnataka introduced the ‘Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention and Control) Bill, 2025’ in the Assembly on Wednesday. State Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil introduced this bill, on which BJP MLAs expressed strong opposition.
BJP MLAs opposed the presentation of the bill, saying they would never accept it and questioned its necessity. BJP leaders demanded that there should be a detailed discussion on the bill in the House. Amidst the uproar, Speaker UT Khadar had to adjourn the House for some time.
The bill was approved in the recent cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The purpose of the law is to prevent hate speech and hate crimes and reduce their impact on individuals, communities and society.
BJP leaders have alleged that the law has been brought to target Hindutva organizations and groups operating especially in sensitive areas of coastal Karnataka. The move follows communal revenge killings that grabbed national attention in the Mangaluru region. The government has also deployed a special force to prevent violence in the area, while separate wings have been formed to monitor social media.
The bill provides for imprisonment of up to three years, fine of up to Rs 5,000 or both. The offense will be non-bailable and non-cognizable and will be tried by a First Class Magistrate.
According to the draft, causing harm, inciting harm or spreading hatred against any person on the basis of religion, caste, community, gender, sexual orientation, language, birthplace, residence, disability or tribe will be considered a hate crime.
Meanwhile, Home Minister G Parameshwara clarified that this law is not to target BJP or its leaders.
Responding to Congress MLC BK Hariprasad’s demand for a ban on Bajrang Dal, Shivakumar said, “I know that our worker has been murdered. I have not seen Hariprasad’s statement. I will speak on it after getting the information.”
On the issue of corruption, he said that “nothing published in newspapers or TV channels came up for discussion in the CLP meeting.” He termed the opposition’s allegations on farmer-related issues as “political” and said, “We have taken major decisions on sugarcane and maize procurement. The BJP has completely failed in this matter.”
–IANS
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