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.
