G. Parameshwara | Photo credit:
Amid the scramble for the post of chief minister after the completion of the first half of the Congress government’s five-year term in Karnataka, Home Minister G. Parameshwara called on AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge at the residence here on Monday.
Although Dr. Parameshwara informed the media that he did not discuss any political issues with Mr. Kharg, the meeting sparked various political speculations, including a demand for a Dalit leader to become the chief minister.
The home minister said he had discussed family issues with the AICC president and supported his view that there was no confusion at the highest level of the command over the issue of leadership change in the government.
Mr. Kharge on Sunday clarified that the confusion over the leadership issue in the party’s Karnataka unit exists only at the local level and not within the party high command.
Draft law on hate speech
Later Dr. Parameshwara said the Prevention of Hate Speech and Hate Crimes Bill, 2025 was not intended to target any particular individual and alleged that the opposition BJP was politicizing it unnecessarily.
Both houses of the legislature passed the bill last week. “We have not brought the bill to target anyone in particular. This will apply to anyone who indulged in hate speech. It was not brought with a specific individual in mind. The law must be respected. The Supreme Court has ordered that hate speech should be curbed,” he said.
“We will send the bill to the governor. If the governor demands an explanation on the bill, we will provide an explanation,” the interior minister said.
Published – 22 Dec 2025 19:43 IST
