Banglore: The Congress-led Karnataka government on Wednesday ignited a heated political storm after introducing the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention and Control) Bill, 2025 in the State Assembly. Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil moved the Bill amid loud objections from BJP legislators, who accused the government of pushing an unnecessary and politically motivated law.
Chaos erupted soon after the Bill was introduced. BJP leaders shouted in protest when Speaker U.T. Khader called for a voice vote, insisting that the House should first debate the Bill instead of rushing it through. As tempers flared, the Speaker suspended proceedings for ten minutes.
The Siddaramaiah cabinet had recently cleared the Bill, which seeks to create a legal framework to curb hate speech, hate crimes, and identity-based targeting across the state. The government says the proposed law responds to a spate of communal attacks and revenge killings reported particularly from Mangaluru and the coastal belt, areas that have witnessed repeated tensions.
The Bill proposes up to three years’ imprisonment and a fine of ₹5,000 for those convicted of hate crimes. Such offences will be non-cognisable and non-bailable, requiring trial before a first-class magistrate. The definition of hate crime covers harm or incitement based on religion, caste, race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, language, community, residence, or tribe.
BJP leaders allege that the law is designed to target Hindutva organisations and their leaders. However, Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara rejected the claim, saying the Bill targets no political party and is meant to strengthen existing legal protections. “Governments will change, but the law will stay. This is not about the BJP or any party,” he said.
The government has already deployed a special force in communally sensitive regions and set up dedicated units to monitor social media activity that could trigger unrest.
