Bengaluru, Dec 10 (NationPress) The Congress-led administration in Karnataka unveiled the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention and Control) Bill, 2025, in the Assembly on Wednesday.

State Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil introduced the Bill despite vigorous opposition from BJP members.

Following this, BJP representatives persisted in their protests against its introduction. When Speaker U.T. Khader called for a vote, he announced that the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention and Control) Bill, 2025, had been presented, asking those in favor to say "yes" and those against to say "no".

BJP leaders vociferously declared their refusal to consent to the Bill's tabling, arguing that it was entirely unnecessary and demanded further discussion in the assembly.

Amid the uproar, Speaker U. T. Khader adjourned the House for a brief 10 minutes.

The Karnataka cabinet, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, recently approved this legislation aimed at combating hate speech and associated offenses.

The Hate Speech and Hate Crimes Prevention Bill seeks to mitigate hate speech and hate crimes, aiming to lessen their effects on individuals, groups, and the broader community.

BJP leaders have alleged that the legislation targets those affiliated with Hindutva groups, particularly in the communally sensitive coastal regions.

The Congress-led government proposed this Bill following a series of communal revenge killings in Mangaluru, which garnered national attention. In response, the government has also established a special task force to control violence in the area, alongside separate units monitoring social media activities that could incite unrest.

This Bill proposes a prison term of up to three years, a fine of up to Rs 5,000, or both for individuals found guilty of committing a hate crime. It specifies that such offenses will be classified as non-cognisable and non-bailable, to be tried before a first-class magistrate.

The draft states that a person will be deemed to have committed a hate crime if they inflict harm, incite harm, or spread hatred against someone based on religion, race, caste, community, sex, gender, sexual orientation, place of birth, residence, language, disability, or tribe. Any action motivated by prejudice or intolerance toward these identities will be considered an offense.

Earlier, Home Minister G. Parameshwara assured reporters that the legislation is not intended to target the Bharatiya Janata Party or its leaders.

When asked if the Bill was aimed at the BJP, he clarified, "This is not meant to target the BJP. We will not be in power permanently. Governments change. Whoever comes to power, the law will remain in effect."

He further explained, "Why should we target the BJP? The Bill contains no reference to the BJP or any other political party, such as Congress or Janata Dal (Secular). It is being introduced considering current needs. It will reinforce existing laws."

He noted that additional provisions are being incorporated into the current legal framework.