Karnataka Assembly Passes Hate Speech Prevention Bill Amid BJP Protests

Bengaluru — The Karnataka Legislative Assembly on Friday passed the Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, 2025, amid strong protests from the BJP opposition, which termed the proposed law a threat to freedom of expression. The bill, introduced by Home Minister G. Parameshwara, aims to curb hate speech and hate crimes that promote enmity on grounds such as religion, caste, community, language, gender, or other protected characteristics. It also extends to digital and social media platforms, making online hate speech punishable under the law. Key Provisions Punishment of 1 to 7 years imprisonment for first-time offenders Stricter penalties for repeat offences Coverage of online content, public speeches, and publications Special focus on preventing incidents that could disturb public order and social harmony Defending the bill, Congress leaders said the legislation is essential to maintain communal peace and prevent violence, especially in the wake of recent communal and social clashes in the state. However, BJP legislators staged loud protests inside the Assembly, arguing that the bill could be misused to silence dissent and violates the constitutional right to free speech. They demanded that the government withdraw or amend the legislation. Despite opposition resistance, the bill was passed by voice vote. It will now be sent to the Karnataka Legislative Council for approval and subsequently require the Governor’s assent before becoming law. The passage of the bill marks a significant political moment, likely to fuel further debate on the balance between free speech and hate crime regulation in the state.