Overview
- The Congress-led government introduced the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crime (Prevention) Bill, 2025 on December 10 in the Belagavi winter session after cabinet clearance on December 4.
- The proposal defines hate speech and hate crime broadly for expressions made in public view and lists protected characteristics including religion, caste, gender, sexual orientation, language, disability and tribe.
- Convictions carry mandatory minimum sentences of one to seven years for a first offence and two to ten years for repeat offences, with fines up to ₹1 lakh, and offences are cognisable and non-bailable, triable by a Judicial Magistrate First Class.
- A designated state officer would be empowered to direct intermediaries and service providers to block or remove flagged material online, and Executive Magistrates and Deputy Superintendents of Police would gain preventive action powers.
- The draft places liability on organisations, provides for court-ordered victim compensation, and carves out exemptions for works proven to serve the public good or bona fide heritage or religious purposes, while BJP legislators protested the tabling and alleged potential misuse.