Filtering out hate speech

Karnataka' hate speech law comes at a time when governments the world over are grappling with aggressive campaigns against individuals or groups, amplified quickly by social media and sometimes provoking violence.

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The idea of stronger laws tailored to counter the more serious forms of hate speech that result in violence is being actively discussed in Australia and Europe, for instance, while the UK has been using higher sentences as a deterrent. Australia has taken the lead in reframing its law on hate speech after the mass shooting at a Jewish celebration on Sydney's Bondi Beach that killed 15 people. Apparently, Karnataka's bill, which awaits the framing of rules, draws upon international examples to lay down a list of offences which will attract punishment for hate crimes going up to seven or ten years in prison. These include provoking prejudice due to religion, race, caste, community, sex, gender, sexual orientation, place of birth, residence, language, disability or tribe. Many of these factors are in UK law, which was cited by police to act against hundr