K’taka brings Bill to check hate speech, BJP apprehends ‘misuse’

THE KARNATAKA HATE SPEECH AND HATE CRIME (PRE ION) BILL WAS TABLED IN THE ASSEMBLY BY HOME MINISTER G PARAMESHWARA

- Arun Dev

The Karnataka government on Wednesday tabled in the assembly a contentious bill that ministers say will curb hate speech against marginalised communities but opponents say will criminalise thought and political rallies because of its provision of 10 years imprisonment and fines ofup to Ulakh.

‘The Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crime (Prevention) Bill was cleared by the cabinet on December 4nd was tabled in the assembly by home minister G Parameshwara, fulfilling a key promise ofthe Congress government amid loud objections from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lawmakers.

According to the bill, any expression, which is made, published or circulated in words either spoken or written or by signs or by visible representations or through electronic communication or otherwise, in public view, with an intention to cause injury, disharmony or feelings of enmity or hatred or ill will against person alive or dead, class or group of persons or community, to meet any prejudicial interest is hate speech.