The state cabinet on Thursday approved the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, 2025 to effectively curb, prevent, spread, publicize or promote hate speech and hate crimes that cause disharmony and hatred in the society.
The bill will be tabled in the winter session of the state legislature in Belagavi, which begins on December 8.
Briefing journalists on the decisions taken at the Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil said the law aims to curb and prevent the spread, publication or promotion of hate speech and hate crimes that cause disharmony and hatred in society, against a person or group of persons and organizations and provides punishment for such crimes.
The bill also provides for adequate compensation for victims. It stated that hate speech includes any expression which is made, published or disseminated by words, whether spoken or written, or by means of signs or visible representations or by means of electronic communication in public, with the intention of causing injury, disharmony or feelings of enmity or hatred or malice towards a living or dead person, class or group of persons or community for the purpose of gratifying any injurious interest.
Harmful interest includes religion, race, caste or community, sex, gender, sexual orientation, place of birth, residence, language, disability or tribe.
Punishment for a hate crime includes imprisonment of one to seven years and a fine of ₹50,000.
For subsequent offenses or repeat offences, the punishment would be not less than two years and extend up to 10 years with a fine of ₹1,000.
Offenses are cognizable, non-compensable and triable by a Magistrate of the First Class.
The above provisions would not apply to any textbook, pamphlet, paper, writing, drawing, painting or representation in electronic media or the publication of which is demonstrably justified in the interest of public welfare.
The provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 will be implemented, the bill said. The provisions of the bill would also apply to organizations or institutions.
A designated officer of the state government would have the power to order any service provider, intermediaries, person or entity to block or remove hate crime material from its domain, including electronic media, the bill said.
Published – 04 Dec 2025 20:05 IST
