Belagavi (Karnataka), Dec 11 (NationPress) Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress leader D.K. Shivakumar has come forward to champion the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention and Control) Bill, 2025, asserting that the legislation is vital for upholding constitutional values and curbing hate speech.

Speaking to reporters outside Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi on Thursday, he emphasized the Bill's necessity.

The Congress administration introduced the Bill in the Assembly on Wednesday, facing significant criticism from the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party.

In response to questions regarding the Bill's opposition, Shivakumar remarked, “The BJP and its leaders are the architects of sowing discord among various castes and religions, as well as engaging in personal attacks. They ought to act in accordance with the Constitution's principles. If they genuinely respect the Constitution, they should adhere to it.”

The Deputy CM further indicated that the government's goal is to diminish hostility in public discourse.

“If they refrain from hate speech, there will be no issues whatsoever. We have initiated this measure to safeguard the Constitution,” he stated.

Shivakumar also addressed Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent claims that Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi participated in vote theft, arguing that such allegations lack credibility.

“Amit Shah should at least possess basic understanding regarding this. During their tenure, the ballot paper system was operational. How could vote theft occur then?” he questioned.

The Bill was presented to the state Assembly by Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil. BJP members strongly opposed its introduction, contending that the government had not engaged in sufficient discussions on the matter. Many argued that the current legal framework is adequate, deeming the proposed law unnecessary.

As Speaker U.T. Khader called for a vote on the Bill's introduction, the BJP persisted in its protests, announcing it would not support the initiative. The Speaker had to briefly adjourn the House due to the ongoing uproar.

The proposed law defines a hate crime as any act that causes harm, incites harm, or promotes bias or intolerance against another individual.

This includes actual or perceived characteristics such as religion, race, caste, community, sex, gender, sexual orientation, place of birth, residence, language, disability, tribe, or traits of family members or associated groups.

Under the Bill, individuals convicted of a hate crime could face imprisonment of up to three years, or a fine of up to Rs 5,000, or both. The offense is categorized as non-cognizable and non-bailable, to be tried by a First Class Magistrate.

For hate speech, the Bill stipulates a similar penalty of imprisonment for up to three years or a fine of up to Rs 5,000, or both. This offense is also non-cognizable and non-bailable.

BJP leaders claimed that the legislation specifically targets leaders associated with Hindutva organizations, particularly in coastal regions where communal tensions have escalated.

The Congress-led government crafted the Bill following a series of revenge killings in Mangaluru that garnered national attention. A special task force has been established to avert further violence, with dedicated units monitoring social media activity that could incite unrest.