Bengaluru, Dec 4 (NationPress) The Karnataka cabinet, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, is poised to address a highly debated bill on Thursday that seeks to combat hate speech and related offenses in its forthcoming meeting. Home Minister G. Parameshwara spoke to the press, affirming that this legislation is not intended to target the Bharatiya Janata Party or any of its members.

Parameshwara stated, “The bill on preventing hate speech and associated issues will be presented to the cabinet today. It will undergo discussion, and a resolution will be reached. Should the outcome be positive, the bill could be introduced during the winter session.”

When questioned about whether this initiative was aimed at the BJP, he remarked, “This is not directed at the BJP. Our tenure in power is not permanent. Governments transition, and the law will endure regardless of who is in power.”

He further expressed, “Why would we target the BJP? The bill does not mention the BJP or any other political entities, including Congress or Janata Dal (Secular). It is being proposed based on current requirements and will enhance the existing legal framework.”

According to sources, the cabinet is likely to approve the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention and Control) Bill, 2025. This bill aims to mitigate hate speech and hate crimes, reducing their ramifications on individuals, communities, and society at large. If sanctioned, it will be presented to both legislative houses during the winter session, commencing on December 8 at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi.

The opposition is anticipated to react strongly. BJP and JD(S) leaders have asserted that the legislation targets individuals associated with Hindutva groups, especially in the communally sensitive coastal regions.

The Congress-led administration proposed this bill following a series of communal violence incidents in the Mangaluru district of coastal Karnataka, which garnered nationwide attention. Additionally, a special task force has been established to mitigate violence in the area, with dedicated teams monitoring social media activities that could incite unrest.

The bill proposes penalties of up to three years of imprisonment, fines of up to Rs 5,000, or both, for those convicted of hate crimes. Such offenses will be classified as non-cognizable and non-bailable, to be adjudicated by a first-class magistrate.

Per the draft, an individual will be regarded as having committed a hate crime if they inflict harm, incite harm, or propagate hatred against others based on religion, race, caste, community, sex, gender, sexual orientation, birthplace, residence, language, disability, or tribe. Any actions motivated by prejudice or intolerance against these identities will constitute an offense.