Overview
- The legislature passed the Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, 2025 on December 19 and it now awaits the governor’s decision on assent or reservation for the President.
- Union minister Shobha Karandlaje and BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal have urged Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot to withhold approval and consider sending the Bill to the President under Article 200.
- The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti’s memorandum argues the proposal violates Article 19(1)(a) and could be misused to suppress dissent and religious discourse.
- Critics object to provisions they say shift the burden of proof, make speech-related offences cognisable and non-bailable, and grant broad powers to executive magistrates and police without robust judicial oversight.
- BJP leaders in Belagavi marched to the Deputy Commissioner’s office to submit a request to the Governor to reject the Bill, while Chief Minister Siddaramaiah defended it as a measure to curb provocative speech across parties.