Belagavi: The Karnataka Legislative Assembly on Wednesday passed the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill amid intense protests and sloganeering by the Opposition BJP, which accused the government of pushing the legislation in haste without adequate discussion.

Introducing the Bill, Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara said the proposed law aims to curb hate speech and hate crimes that spread hatred, disturb communal harmony and target individuals or groups based on religion, caste or community. He stated that the legislation seeks to prevent the dissemination, publication or promotion of hate speech and to ensure punishment for offenders while also providing compensation to victims.

Dr. Parameshwara urged the House to consider and pass the Bill, asserting that the government intends to promote responsible freedom of expression and communal tolerance across Karnataka. He added that the legislation was introduced at a time when hate speech and communal polarisation were being debated nationwide, and Karnataka’s move could serve as a model for other States.

As the discussion progressed, Leader of the Opposition R. Ashok strongly opposed the Bill, stating that there was no need for a separate law as existing provisions under criminal law were sufficient to deal with hate speech and related offences. He alleged that the Bill was politically motivated and aimed at targeting Opposition parties and the media.

“This law is against freedom of speech and freedom of the press. It will turn the police into dictators and give the ruling party a weapon to silence critics,” Mr. Ashok said, adding that the legislation was brought in for vote-bank politics. He warned that under the new law, anyone could be arrested at will and claimed that it would encourage corruption and misuse of power. “Think a hundred times before bringing such a law,” he cautioned.

The situation in the House escalated when Urban Development Minister B.S. Suresh (Byrathi Suresh) intervened during the debate and made remarks referring to the coastal Karnataka region. This triggered strong objections from BJP legislators, who accused the Minister of making derogatory comments. Heated arguments broke out between Mr. Suresh and BJP MLA Chanabasappa, leading to chaos in the House.

BJP members demanded an apology from the Minister and staged a protest in front of the Speaker’s podium. Although Speaker U.T. Khader announced that the Minister’s remarks would be expunged from the records, the Opposition continued its protest, creating a noisy and disorderly atmosphere in the Assembly.

Amid the uproar, Dr. Parameshwara once again appealed to the House to support the Bill. With Opposition members protesting in the Well of the House, the Speaker put the Bill to a voice vote and declared it passed. He then adjourned the House for lunch, stating that the Hate Speech and Hate Crimes Bill had been approved.

Under the provisions of the Bill, a person convicted of committing a hate crime will face imprisonment for a minimum of one year, which may extend up to seven years, along with a fine of ₹50,000. In case of a repeat offence, the punishment will be imprisonment of not less than two years, extendable up to seven years, with a fine of up to ₹1 lakh.

After the passage of the Bill, BJP legislators alleged that it had been cleared without proper debate and demanded that it be referred to a House committee for scrutiny. However, Law Minister H.K. Patil ruled out any such move, stating that the Bill had already been passed. The Speaker also rejected the Opposition’s demand, following which BJP members staged a walkout in protest.

The Bill was passed at a time when a nationwide debate is underway on the misuse of hate speech and its impact on social harmony. The Karnataka government has projected the legislation as a necessary step to curb communal hatred and ensure accountability, while the Opposition has termed it an attempt to stifle dissent and suppress democratic voices. With sharp political divisions over the law, the passage of the Bill is being closely watched, and Karnataka’s move is being seen as a possible precedent for other States contemplating stricter laws to deal with hate speech and hate crimes