Karnataka Legislative Assembly passes hate speech bill

The Legislative Assembly, on December 18, passed the bill on preventing hate speech and hate crimes, while members of the Opposition were on a protest over a Minister’s remark on representatives from coastal Karnataka.

The Assembly took up the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill for discussion after Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara introduced it and briefed the members about its features.

Even as Leader of Opposition R. Ashok was sharing his comments opposing the Bill, Minister for Urban Development B.S. Suresh (Byrathi) intervened to question why he (Ashok) was against the bill. A section of BJP members, including Vedavyasa Kamath, ‘Cement’ Manju, objected to Mr. Suresh’s comments. In reaction, Mr. Suresh made a remark on BJP MLAs representing the coastal region.

The Opposition MLAs objected to the comment and wanted him to apologise. Though Speaker U.T. Khader announced that he would remove the Minister’s remark from the records, BJP MLAs got into the well of the House to stage a protest.

Mr. Parameshwara sought the support of the House for the Bill, while the Opposition was staging a protest. The members of the BJP were in a surprise as the Bill was passed, without them being able to join the discussion. The Speaker adjourned the House for lunch, declaring that the Bill had been passed..

Earlier, introducing the Bill in the House, Mr. Parameshwara said its objective was to curb and prevent dissemination, publication or promotion of hate speech and crimes, which ‘cause disharmony and hatred in society against a person or group of persons’. He noted that the Supreme Court of India, in its judgment on May 5, 2025, had stressed the need for efforts to stop spreading communal hatred through hate speech.

The Minister stated that, in many cases, the hate speeches instigated crimes, including murders. The bill intends to stop such incidents. It would cover the communication made in public view, by way of verbal, print, public, or electronic means. The people, who commit hate crimes, would be punished for a term not less than one year, which may be extended to seven years with a fine of ₹50,000. In case of repeat offence, the punishment would not be less than two years, which may be extended to seven years, besides a fine of ₹1 lakh.

Leader of Opposition R. Ashok, in his response, commented that the objective of the Bill was to target the opposite parties and the media. “What else can we expect from the people who declared an emergency? Through this law, the State Government is taking away people’s right to speech guaranteed by the Constitution, and putting leaders of opposite parties and the media behind bars,” he commented. He added that there was no need for an additional law to curb hate speech, as the existing laws were strong enough to stop such crimes.