BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai says the proposed bill’s definition of hate speech is too broad, giving the state government sweeping powers to arbitrarily target individuals. | Photo credit: FILE PHOTO
BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai has strongly criticized the government’s proposed legislation to curb hate speech, calling it a “draconian law” that poses a serious threat to freedom of expression.
At a press conference in Kalaburagi on Tuesday, Mr Bommai said the proposed law’s definition of hate speech was too broad and gave the government sweeping powers to arbitrarily target individuals.
This law can be abused. According to him, it is an attempt to suppress dissent and limit freedom of speech.
Pointing out that provisions on hate speech already exist under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Mr Bommai questioned the need for additional legislation and said the move was a conspiracy to jail those who question the failure of the state government and those who fight corruption.
Responding to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s observation that only those who indulge in hate speech will have reason to fear the law, Mr. Bommai said the extent of misuse depends on how the law is implemented.
He stated that the important considerations are the intent of such a law and the authority that enforces it.
He said the BJP would oppose the bill and party leaders would submit a statement to the governor and also launch a legal fight against the bill if required.
Accusing the Congress-led state government of failing on all fronts, Mr. Bommai said the state’s finances were in disarray. He said there was corruption in government in the state from the lowest to the highest officials.
Commenting on the ongoing leadership tussle in the Congress, Mr. Bommai said the party high command was no longer a unified authority. He said that the Congress high command has weakened and that it considers Karnataka as its “ATM”.
Referring to AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge’s contradictory statements on whether the matter would be resolved at the high command or at the state level, Mr. Bommai said the Congress high command itself was responsible for the confusion in the party.
Speculating on a change in the BJP state leadership, Mr. Bommai said there was no internal discord in the party’s state unit and all leaders were working in unison.
Published – 23 Dec 2025 21:14 IST
