Overview
- The cabinet approved the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention and Control) Bill, 2025, with the government planning to table it in both Houses during the winter session starting December 8 in Belagavi.
- The draft consolidates definitions of hate speech and hate crimes across identity grounds and prescribes penalties of up to three years’ imprisonment or a fine up to Rs 5,000, classifying offences as non-cognisable and non-bailable before a first-class magistrate.
- The measure covers spoken, written, visual and digital communication, including private forwards, group messages and targeted abuse, across identities such as religion, caste, gender, sexual orientation, tribe, language and disability.
- Digital intermediaries—including social platforms, search engines, ISPs, marketplaces and telecom operators—could face punishment under a 'knowingly or unknowingly' provision if their services are used to disseminate hate speech.
- The bill grants district magistrates preventive powers to restrict gatherings, processions or loudspeakers for up to 30 days, extendable to 60 days, adds victim impact statements, and assigns the state a duty to run awareness and support initiatives, even as the Opposition vows strong criticism and the Home Minister denies partisan intent.