Explained | What is Karnataka’s new hate speech Bill?

Overview The Karnataka government tabled the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crime (Prevention) Bill, 2025 in the Legislative Assembly on December 10, 2025 . The Bill aims to curb hate speech and hate crimes, proposing a jail term of up to 10 years and a fine. The cabinet had cleared the Bill on December 4, 2025 , and it was presented by Home Minister G. Parameshwara . Key Objectives To prevent the dissemination, publication, or promotion of hate speech. To prevent hate crimes that can cause disharmony and hatred in society. Definitions Hate Speech According to the Bill, hate speech includes any expression made, published, or circulated either by spoken or written word, by signs, visible representations, or through electronic communication. It must have the intention to cause injury, disharmony, or feelings of enmity or hatred or ill-will against a person alive or dead, a class or group of persons, or a community. Hate Crime The Bill defines hate crime as communication, publishing, or circulation of hate speech or any act of promoting, propagating, inciting, or abetting such hate speech to cause disharmony or feelings of enmity or hatred or ill-will against any person dead or alive or group of persons or organizations. An act or expression based on religion, race, caste, community, sex, gender, sexual orientation, place of birth, residence, language, disability, or tribe is categorized as hate speech and hate crime . Punishment and Penalties Penalties for Hate Crime Imprisonment from one to seven years . A fine of ₹50,000 . Penalties for Repeat Offenders Jail term of two to 10 years . A fine of ₹1 lakh . Legal Procedures The offences under the proposed legislation are cognisable and non-bailable , and triable by the Judicial Magistrate First Class . The provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 , will be applicable. Organisations and Institutions The Bill also brings organizations or institutions under its ambit. Every person of an organization or institution who, at the time of offence, was either in charge of and was responsible for it shall be deemed guilty and will be liable for punishment. The said persons will then have to prove that the offence was committed without their knowledge or that they had exercised all due diligence to prevent it. Victim Compensation Under the bill, courts may award adequate compensation to victims based on the harm caused. Preventive Measures The Bill empowers an officer designated by the State government to direct any service provider, intermediaries, person, or entity to block or remove the hate crime materials from its domain, including electronic media. The Executive Magistrate or Special Executive Magistrate or Deputy Police Superintendents can also take preventive action if they believe that a person or a group within their jurisdiction is likely to commit a hate crime offence. Exemptions The Bill’s provisions do not cover any textbooks, pamphlets, papers, writings, drawings, paintings representation or figure in the electronic media or whose publication is done in the interest of the public good. This includes science, literature, art, learning or are used for bona fide heritage or religious purposes. UPSC Relevance This Bill is relevant to GS2 (Government Policies & Social Justice) and GS3 (Law and Order) . It highlights the government's efforts to address hate speech and maintain social harmony. Understanding the provisions and implications of such legislation is crucial for the UPSC exam.