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The Karnataka government introduced the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, 2025 in the state assembly during the winter session in Belagavi on Wednesday (December 10).
The law, approved by the state Cabinet on December 4, seeks to curb the publication, dissemination and dissemination of hate speech and hate-motivated acts across various mediums, according to PTI.
What is ‘hate speech’?
According to the Bill, any form of expression – oral, written, symbolic or transmitted electronically – made in public with the intention of creating “injury, disharmony or feelings of enmity or hatred or ill-will” towards any person (living or dead), group, class or community will be considered hate speech.
The definition also includes expressions containing prejudice on the basis of religion, race, caste, community, sex, gender, sexual orientation, place of birth, residence, language, disability or tribe.
How the bill defines ‘hate crime’
The Bill defines a hate crime as any act that involves the communication, publication or dissemination of hate speech, or acts that promote, incite, incite, incite or attempt such communication. This definition covers individual goals as well as groups, organizations, and institutions.
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According to PTI, hate speech communicated orally to the public through print, electronic platforms or other means also falls under the ambit of hate crime.
Punishment and fine
Under the proposed law, persons convicted of committing hate crimes will be punished with imprisonment of not less than one year, which may extend to seven years, along with a fine of ₹50,000.
According to PTI, for repeat or subsequent offences, the minimum imprisonment increases to two years and can go up to 10 years, along with a fine of up to ₹1 lakh.
The offenses will be cognizable and non-bailable, and cases will be heard by Judicial Magistrates of the First Class.
additional provisions
According to a report in The Hindu, the bill includes a provision for victim compensation and empowers a designated state officer to direct service providers, intermediaries or any entity to block or remove hate-related content from their platforms, including digital domains.
However, the law will not apply to materials such as textbooks, booklets, written or artistic works if their publication is proven to be in the “public interest”. The Bill also specifies that procedures under the Indian Civil Defense Code, 2023 will apply.
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