Overview
- Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has not accepted or rejected the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes Bill sent on December 30, with his office stating the proposal is under consideration.
- The state confirmed the governor has signed 17 of 20 recent bills, while the Social Boycott Bill remains pending and a Drugs and Cosmetics amendment has been reserved for the President.
- BJP leader R. Ashoka said he will lead a delegation to urge the governor to withhold assent, arguing the bill would curb freedom of speech.
- Chief Minister M. Siddaramaiah said he will meet the governor to provide a detailed explanation defending the legislation.
- The bill would make specified hate speech and hate-motivated offences cognisable and non-bailable, with penalties of about one year for a first offence and two to seven years for repeat offences.