Karnataka Assembly Passes Hate Speech Prevention Bill

The Karnataka Legislative Assembly passed the Hate Speech and Hate Crimes Prevention Bill, 2025, on Thursday amid heated protests from opposition lawmakers, marking the country's first comprehensive legislation targeting such offenses. The bill, introduced by Home Minister G. Parameshwara, aims to curb expressions and acts that incite enmity or violence based on prejudice, following a recent Supreme Court directive and a rise in related incidents across the state.

Parameshwara presented the legislation after it received cabinet approval on December 4 and was formally introduced in the assembly on December 10. He emphasized that the measure responds to increasing inflammatory remarks that have led to murders, assaults, and social tensions, particularly in regions like coastal Karnataka. "In many cases, hate speeches have instigated crimes," Parameshwara stated, noting that the bill seeks to prevent escalation by addressing dissemination through verbal, written, online, or electronic means in public view. The law defines hate speech as any expression intended to cause injury, disharmony, or ill will against individuals, groups, or communities based on protected characteristics,...