Bengaluru, Jan 13,2026: Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Tuesday said the state government stands ready to provide any clarification sought by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot regarding the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, 2025, which is currently pending gubernatorial assent.
Parameshwara told reporters that the government has already furnished explanations on the Bill and would respond to further queries if required by the Raj Bhavan.
The controversial legislation, passed during the winter session of the state legislature in Belagavi in December 2025, seeks to criminalise hate speech and related offences with provisions for imprisonment and fines.
Under its proposed framework, hate speech and hate crimes would be treated as non‑bailable offences, punishable by imprisonment and penalties for first‑time and repeat offenders.
Opposition parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)), have urged Governor Gehlot to withhold assent to the Bill.
BJP leaders have described the Bill as “draconian” and a threat to free speech, submitting memoranda that it could be misused against political opponents and media organisations, and have even called for the Governor to reserve the Bill for Presidential consideration under the Constitution.
The JD(S) also petitioned the Governor to withhold approval, arguing the legislation unjustifiably restricts freedom of expression.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah recently said that the Governor has neither cleared nor rejected the hate speech legislation, leaving it under consideration while other Bills from the winter session have received assent or been returned for clarification. Siddaramaiah indicated the government may brief the Governor further on the Bill’s provisions.
The Bill has been the subject of sharp debate since its introduction, with proponents asserting it is necessary to curb inflammatory and divisive speech, while critics contend its broad definitions risk chilling legitimate expression.
