Belagavi, Dec 10: The Karnataka government on Wednesday introduced the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crime (Prevention) Bill in the state Assembly, proposing stringent punishments, including imprisonment of up to 10 years and fines up to Rs 1 lakh for offences.
Cleared by the cabinet on December 4, the bill makes the offences cognisable and non-bailable and marks the first dedicated legislation on hate speech and hate crimes introduced by any state in India.
State Home Minister G Parameshwara tabled the bill, defining hate speech as any expression—spoken, written, visual, or electronic—intended to cause injury, enmity, or ill-will against individuals, groups, or communities.
The law also explicitly includes biases based on religion, race, caste, community, sex, gender, sexual orientation, place of birth, residence, language, disability, or tribe. Hate crimes encompass acts of promoting, propagating, inciting, or abetting such speech.
Under the bill, first-time offenders may face one to seven years of imprisonment and a fine of Rs 50,000, while repeated or subsequent offences may lead to two to ten years of imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1 lakh.
Executive Magistrates, Special Executive Magistrates, and Deputy Police Superintendents are empowered to take preventive action if an offence is likely.
Designated officers, as notified by the state government, can direct intermediaries, service providers, or platforms to remove hate content online.
Exceptions are made for works in science, literature, art, learning, or bona fide heritage or religious purposes.
Organisations found responsible will have their heads and in-charge personnel held liable unless they can prove due diligence to prevent the offence.
The bill faced strong opposition from the BJP, which alleged that it targets political opponents and restricts freedom of expression.
Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka described it as an obsession of the ruling party, while BJP legislative council leader Chalavadi Narayanaswamy cited selective enforcement, claiming the law could be misused against opposition members for social media posts without formal complaints.
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar defended the bill, emphasizing its role in preventing hate speech, maintaining law and order, and safeguarding communal harmony.
The tabling of the legislation, despite opposition protests during the voice vote, underscores the Congress government’s commitment to curb hate speech and hate crimes in Karnataka.
The bill provides comprehensive measures targeting both individuals and organisations while balancing freedom of expression with the need to protect public order.
By criminalising hate speech and related acts, empowering authorities to act preemptively, and ensuring accountability, the legislation aims to strengthen the state’s legal framework to prevent communal disharmony and promote social harmony. (PTI)
