Karnataka’s assembly passed a bill to combat hate speech and crimes amid rising communal tensions, sparking debates on free speech protections.
In Bengaluru, Karnataka legislators passed the Karnataka hate speech bill on Wednesday, 18 December 2025, defining hate expressions that incite disharmony and imposing penalties of up to seven years’ imprisonment to address a 74% rise in incidents against minorities in 2024.
This development highlights vulnerabilities in India’s hate speech law frameworks, where state-level initiatives fill federal voids, potentially stabilising communal relations in South Asia amid growing digital amplification of divisive content.
India Hate Speech Law: Existing Gaps and State Responses
India lacks a comprehensive federal law against hate speech. Current provisions under the Indian Penal Code criminalise acts promoting enmity between religious groups or outraging religious feelings. These include Section 153A, which pertains to enmity, and Section 295A, which addresses malicious acts against religion.
Experts note that these laws often fail to address modern contexts, such as social media. A report documented a 74% increase in hate speech against minorities, primarily Muslims, in 2024, with peaks during national elections. Television and online platforms have exacerbated the issue.
Karnataka’s move aligns with calls for stronger measures. Home Minister G Parameshwara stated in assembly debates that the Karnataka hate speech bill closes loopholes in existing statutes, enabling non-bailable offences and direct police action without government sanction.
Karnataka Hate Crimes Bill Provisions
The Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, 2025, defines hate speech as any expression made, published, or circulated in public view that incites hatred, discrimination, or hostility based on religion, caste, or other identities.
It classifies hate crime as the communication of such speech, even without resulting in violence. Offenders face imprisonment for one to seven years, which is non-bailable, and fines of INR 50,000 for first-time offences. Repeat violations attract penalties of two to ten years and fines of up to INR 100,000.
The bill empowers state authorities to direct social media platforms to remove offending content, a function typically reserved for the central government. Police must file charge sheets directly with courts, bypassing executive approvals to reduce political interference.
A senior government official explained that this structure holds law enforcement accountable for inaction or errors. “The police will have to approach the court directly and face consequences for inaction or mistakes,” the official said.
The legislation expands beyond traditional enmity provisions to cover broader identities, aiming to prevent speech that fuels communal tension.
Political Reactions to Karnataka Hate Speech Bill
The Congress-led government defends the Karnataka hate crimes bill as essential to curb real-world violence from inflammatory rhetoric. Parameshwara told the assembly, “You can’t hate people. That is why we have brought a law.”
Opposition BJP members protested during debates, arguing that it erodes constitutional free speech rights. Leader R Ashoka stated: “Through this law, the state government is taking away people’s right to free speech guaranteed by the constitution, and putting opposition leaders and the media behind bars.”
BJP leaders urged the governor to withhold assent and refer the bill to the president. Advocate Girish Bhardwaj, in a letter to the governor, claimed it grants excessive discretion to police and administrators, risking misuse against critics.
Expert Concerns on India’s Hate Speech Law Implementation
Legal scholars warn of potential overreach in the Karnataka Hate Speech Bill. Supreme Court lawyer Sanjay Hegde said: “One party’s hate speech is another man’s political propaganda and vice versa. Just because you dislike some speech, it does not become hate speech.”
Alok Prasanna Kumar, co-founder of the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, highlighted the risks of misuse: “There is enormous scope for misuse.” He noted that the bill’s broad wording could lead to a chilling effect, citing a 2015 Supreme Court ruling that requires precision in speech-restricting laws to avoid self-censorship.
Siddharth Narrain, assistant professor at National Law School of India University, pointed out definitional ambiguities: “It is an attempt by a state to define hate speech as a term in the law, which expands beyond existing provisions on promoting enmity and outraging religious feelings, to include speech targeting caste, religion, and other identities.”
Narrain added that the bill blurs hate speech and hate crime by prosecuting communication alone, without requiring violence. Kumar emphasised police discretion as the initial filter: “The first step is the police; the judiciary comes much later.”
Telangana Hate Speech Bill: A Parallel Initiative
Neighbouring Telangana, also under Congress rule, plans a similar measure. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy announced on Saturday, 20 December 2025, that the government will enact legislation against hate speech to ensure religious liberty and equal rights.
“We will soon bring in legislation on hate speech in the Assembly,” Reddy said. The proposed Telangana hate speech bill is modeled after Karnataka’s approach, with penalties including up to seven years’ imprisonment and a fine of INR 50,000, escalating for repeat offenses.
This follows Karnataka’s lead, reflecting regional efforts to strengthen India’s hate speech law amid shared concerns over minority protections.
Background: Escalating Hate Speech in the Digital Era
Hate speech predates digital media, but it has surged with the ubiquity of platforms. Social media algorithms and television amplify divisive narratives, contributing to the 74% spike in 2024.
Post-2014 elections, incidents targeting Muslims rose sharply. Experts link this to political polarisation. Existing hate speech law provisions in India have low conviction rates due to evidentiary challenges and political influences.
States like Karnataka and Telangana act amid federal inaction, drawing from international models while navigating constitutional balances.
What’s Next
The Karnataka Hate Speech Bill awaits the governor’s assent. If approved, implementation guidelines will follow. Legal challenges may arise due to vagueness and potential free speech infringements.
Telangana’s assembly session could introduce its bill soon. Observers watch for federal responses or Supreme Court interventions on uniform India hate speech law standards.
Broader reforms might emerge if these state laws prove effective without curbing legitimate discourse.
As regional tensions persist, the Karnataka hate speech bill represents a pivotal step in refining India’s hate speech law to safeguard harmony.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, January 7th, 2026
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