"According to The Times of India, the "Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill" broadly defines hate speech as expressions causing disharmony or enmity and contains provisions for victim compensation, fines and even jail sentences of up to seven years. During assembly debates on the bill, Karnataka Urban Development Minister Byrathi Suresh said the coastal region was "on fire" with hate speech and hate crime."
"Opposition leader Ramaiah Ashok claimed that the bill's objective was not to clamp down on hate speech but to target opposition parties and the media. "Through this law, the state government is taking away people's right to speech guaranteed by the constitution, and putting leaders of opposition and the media behind bars," he said in comments quoted by The Hindu, claiming that existing laws were already strong enough to prevent such crimes."
Karnataka's assembly passed the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, defining hate speech as expressions causing disharmony or enmity. The bill provides for victim compensation, fines and jail sentences up to seven years. Urban Development Minister Byrathi Suresh said the coastal region was "on fire" with hate speech and hate crime. Interior Minister Gangadharaiah Parameshwara cited a May 2025 Supreme Court judgment calling for efforts to stop spreading communal hatred. The BJP opposition questioned the bill's need, alleged it targets opposition and media, argued existing laws suffice, and complained it was passed while BJP lawmakers protested outside the chamber.
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