Bengaluru, Dec 20 (NationPress) Shobha Karandlaje, the Minister of State (MoS) for the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, accused the Congress-led administration of trying to impose an undeclared Emergency in Karnataka.

At a press briefing held at the state BJP office, "Jagannath Bhavan", the Union Minister asserted that the proposed hate speech regulation law would be resisted under any circumstances.

Karandlaje pointed out that the Congressional approach appears to demand acceptance of its past actions without dissent.

She remarked that the recent Belagavi Legislature session should have been utilized to address the issues facing North Karnataka, instead of focusing solely on the introduction of the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill.

"What is the Congress's motive? Why introduce the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill? What intentions lie behind it, and who supports it?" she questioned.

Karandlaje alleged that a new fact-check agency has been initiated in Karnataka.

She claimed that meetings regarding this agency were conducted in 2023.

According to her, this agency comprises private individuals, private agencies, and certain organizations sympathetic to the Congress.

She further stated that this agency is chaired by Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge and involves Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, and Home Minister G. Parameshwara, with Kharge taking the lead.

Union Minister Karandlaje alleged that the Karnataka government allocates approximately Rs 3 to 4 crore annually for this agency.

She suggested that its purpose is to empower Congress loyalists.

Moreover, she claimed that the agency monitors the media and provides reports to the state government, with filing cases through regional Superintendents of Police included in its duties.

Karandlaje accused Minister Kharge of making provocative statements and promoting hatred throughout the state, stating, "We cannot expect fairness from such a person."

She asserted that the agency functions from the state level down to the taluk level and is financed by taxpayer money.

She alleged that the agency has initiated cases against 35 BJP social media activists, as well as MLAs and MLCs, attributing the blame to this agency.

Karandlaje claimed that this agency reports on who criticizes whom and who posts on social media, which leads to the state government pursuing legal action.

The Union Minister also identified individuals purportedly linked to the agency.

She noted that the Bill has been approved by both legislative houses and alleged that it infringes upon Article 19(1) and Article 19(2) of the Constitution, which safeguard freedom of speech and expression.

She accused the Congress-led government, which she stated often refers to the Constitution, of infringing upon the freedoms granted by B.R. Ambedkar.

Karandlaje questioned who is responsible for punishment of wrongdoing and cited the Supreme Court's definitions in the Kesavananda Bharati case regarding the separation of powers.

She claimed that the Congress-led government is attempting to assume the Judiciary's responsibilities.

She pointed out that the Bill stipulates penalties of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of Rs 1 lakh.

Karandlaje criticized that, for the first time, Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police will dictate the future of individuals.

She alleged that the Bill is part of a systematic scheme to repress dissenters, punish them, and exclude them from public life.

Karandlaje remarked that the law would be wielded against anyone advocating for justice against the Karnataka government.

She asserted that the Karnataka government seeks to suppress the BJP, its associated organizations, and Kannada groups.

She mentioned having written to Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot, urging him to withhold assent to the Bill due to its unconstitutional nature.

She added that if necessary, she would escalate the matter to President Droupadi Murmu.

Karandlaje questioned the Congress's inaction when Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi allegedly referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "merchant of death".

She also inquired about the lack of repercussions when police stations were set ablaze in places like Hubballi and Mysuru, claiming those cases were later retracted by the Karnataka Cabinet.

Karandlaje labeled this as appeasement politics.

State BJP Spokesperson Narendra Rangappa and Bengaluru North district president S. Harish were also present during the press conference.