Overview
- Home Minister G. Parameshwara tabled the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill in the Assembly on December 10 in Belagavi, drawing loud protests from BJP members; the measure now awaits debate and voting.
- Convictions would carry mandatory minimum prison terms of one to seven years for first offences and two to ten years for repeat offences, with fines of ₹50,000 and ₹1,00,000 respectively; offences are cognisable and non-bailable and triable by a Judicial Magistrate First Class.
- The Bill defines hate speech broadly across spoken, written, visual and electronic forms made in public view, covering prejudice based on religion, race, caste, sex, gender, sexual orientation, place of birth, residence, language, disability or tribe; several reports note the repeated “in public view” clause.
- A state‑designated officer could order intermediaries and service providers to block or remove content, while Executive or Special Executive Magistrates and Deputy Superintendents of Police would have preventive powers; procedures under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 apply.
- Courts may award compensation to victims, organisations can be held criminally liable with responsible persons presumed guilty unless they show due diligence, and exemptions cover materials published for the public good or bona fide heritage or religious purposes.