Bengaluru, Dec 23 (NationPress) The BJP conducted a peaceful protest outside the office of the Bengaluru Deputy Commissioner on Tuesday, opposing the contentious Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill. A delegation from the party presented a memorandum to the Governor and the Chief Minister via the city Deputy Commissioner, expressing their disapproval of the proposed law.

During the demonstration, BJP leaders and party members held up posters and placards denouncing the Bill.

In their memorandum, the BJP argued that the proposed legislation is unconstitutional and violates citizens' fundamental rights. They claimed that the Bill contravenes Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution, which safeguards freedom of speech and expression, accusing the Congress-led government of infringing upon constitutional rights.

The party asserted that the Bill could be exploited as a mechanism to silence dissent against the government. They criticized the vague definitions provided in the legislation, which could render criticism of the government, public discourse, satire, and even truthful statements as instances of hate speech. The memorandum challenged the government's motives, asserting that the Bill aims to instill fear and suppress public discourse.

Furthermore, the BJP contended that the proposed law would undermine the core principles of democracy and suppress democratic society by granting excessive authority to the police and the government. The memorandum also raised concerns about provisions that deny bail for specific offenses, questioning the rationale behind such legislative measures.

Expressing apprehensions regarding the preventive measures outlined in the Bill, the party indicated that police and officials could act on mere assumptions of potential crime, which could be misused to stifle protests and social movements. The memorandum cautioned that social activists, journalists, and active social media users could become targets under the law.

Demanding the withdrawal of the legislation, the BJP claimed that the Bill would adversely impact the media and silence the people's voice.

“Our duty is to safeguard the fundamental rights of citizens. This law strips away those rights. The Congress-led government is attempting to impose restrictions on the opposition and the media, controlling political parties, organizations, and Kannada associations. To raise awareness on this matter, we organized the protest and submitted the memorandum,” the BJP emphasized.

Despite substantial opposition, the Karnataka Legislative Assembly approved the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, 2025, on December 19, making Karnataka the first state in India to enact dedicated legislation aimed at curbing hate speech and hate crimes.