By Sagay Raj
In Short
- Karnataka plans strict anti-hate speech legislation
- Offenders may face up to five years in jail
- Bill likely to be tabled in March session
The Karnataka government is considering the introduction of a stringent law to tackle hate speech and hate crimes, aiming to impose severe penalties on offenders. Plans are in motion to draft the Hate Speech and Hate Crime Prohibition Bill, which will specifically target speeches and actions that incite hatred against individuals or communities.
The proposed legislation seeks to enforce a ban on hate speech in public gatherings, ensuring that no individual or group is targeted based on caste, religion, or gender. Additionally, the bill aims to establish stricter control over hate-inducing content on social media, prohibiting inflammatory rhetoric in plays, public meetings, or events.
Under the proposed law, offenders could face punishments ranging from three to five years in prison, with repeat offenders potentially facing permanent restrictions from public platforms. The government is expected to finalise the draft soon and seek legal opinion before tabling it in the upcoming assembly session in March.
Speaking about the bill, Karnataka IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge said, “As I mentioned earlier, we have discussed this within our party. We are committed to fostering a conducive environment for growth, maintaining law and order, ensuring that hate speeches have no place, and, most importantly, protecting every community constitutionally.”
This story was originally published in indiatoday.in. Read the full story here.