BELAGAVI: The Karnataka assembly overrode opposition to pass a bill seeking to enact an anti-hate speech law, making the offence punishable with a jail term.BJP opposed Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill 2025, initiated by home minister G Parameshwara, arguing that it violates the constitutional principle of freedom of expression.The House witnessed uproar as speaker UT Khader took up the bill, tabled on Dec 10, and put it to vote. BJP MLAs stormed the well over a remark by state minister Byrathi Suresha on coastal districts that was expunged. BJP member V Sunil Kumar said the bill was passed ignoring opposition concerns.Explaining provisions, Parameshwara said jail term for a hate speech or crime can extend to seven years with a fine of Rs 50,000. For repeated offences, jail term will be two years, which may extend to 10, apart from a fine of Rs 1 lakh. The offences will be cognisable and non-bailable.The bill defines hate speech as expressions in public view intended to cause injury, disharmony, enmity, hatred or ill-will against a person, group or community, on grounds including religion, race, caste, gender, sexual orientation, language or tribe.LoP R Ashoka termed the law draconian and liable to misuse, warned of threats to free expression and press, questioned the need for a separate law given penal provisions, and objected to the Kannada term “dwesha aparadaha”, triggering bedlam.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Abrupt Variation In Chenab River Flow’: Pakistan Cries Over Indus Water Treaty Suspension’Asking Since June…’: Priyanka Gandhi, Nitin Gadkari Share ‘Appointment’ Banter In Lok Sabha’Possibilities For Expansion’: Argentinian Envoy On Trade Partnership With IndiaCM Mamata Banerjee Renames West Bengal’s Job Guarantee Scheme ‘Karmashree’ After Mahatma GandhiNitish Kumar’s Hijab Shocker: BJP MP Giriraj Singh Defends Bihar CM’s Act With ‘Go To Hell’ RemarkIndia Flags Pakistan Role In Bangladesh Protests, Backs Awami League Demand For Free & Fair PollsIndia’s Silent Exodus: Over Two Lakh Indian Citizens Quit Passports Yearly Amid Changing AspirationsApache AH-64e And Prachand Give India A Two-Front Air Strike Edge From Deserts To High HimalayasLok Sabha Passes Viksit Bharat G Ram G Bill Amid Protests, Opposition Tears Copies Over Gandhi Name‘Worst Is Behind Us’: IndiGo CEO Says Airline Back on Track After Operational Crisis123PhotostoriesJyotika’s unforgettable Bollywood moments from Doli Saja Ke Rakhna to ShaitaanDry mouth that won’t go away? Doctor explains if it is dehydration or something elseWinter’s hidden heart hazard: Why cold snaps spike attacksHealthy and delicious snacks under 100 calories for midnight munching8 insanely beautiful Indian destinations to cover before the year ends5 yoga asanas that can help control uric acid naturally6 reasons to eat ripe papaya daily for breakfastDipika Kakar breaks down during her first PET scan after liver cancer surgery; tells Shoaib, ‘I can’t do this without you’Dog breeds that (almost) never bite kidsThese 5 living animals once walked the earth with dinosaurs123Hot PicksTrump Gold CardUAE WeatherIndia Oman TradeGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays DecemberBank Holidays DecemberTop TrendingPuka Nacua InjuryAnthony Richardson InjuryJosh Allen Car CollectionKobe BryantJayson TatumCam SkatteboPuka NacuaVictor WembanyamaNHL Trade RumorsMike Liaory
BELAGAVI: The Karnataka assembly overrode opposition to pass a bill seeking to enact an anti-hate speech law, making the offence punishable with a jail term.BJP opposed Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill 2025, initiated by home minister G Parameshwara, arguing that it violates the constitutional principle of freedom of expression.The House witnessed uproar as speaker UT Khader took up the bill, tabled on Dec 10, and put it to vote. BJP MLAs stormed the well over a remark by state minister Byrathi Suresha on coastal districts that was expunged. BJP member V Sunil Kumar said the bill was passed ignoring opposition concerns.Explaining provisions, Parameshwara said jail term for a hate speech or crime can extend to seven years with a fine of Rs 50,000. For repeated offences, jail term will be two years, which may extend to 10, apart from a fine of Rs 1 lakh. The offences will be cognisable and non-bailable.The bill defines hate speech as expressions in public view intended to cause injury, disharmony, enmity, hatred or ill-will against a person, group or community, on grounds including religion, race, caste, gender, sexual orientation, language or tribe.LoP R Ashoka termed the law draconian and liable to misuse, warned of threats to free expression and press, questioned the need for a separate law given penal provisions, and objected to the Kannada term “dwesha aparadaha”, triggering bedlam.
