Archive · 5 Dec 2025
Karnataka Cabinet Approves Bills on Hate Speech and Social Boycott
The Karnataka government has approved two new laws.
The first law is to stop hate speech and hate crimes.
This law will punish people who spread hate messages that cause harm or create hatred among groups.
The punishment includes jail time and fines.
The law will apply to hate speech based on religion, race, caste, and other factors.
Books, art, and religious materials are exempt if they are for the public good.
The government can also block hate speech online.
The second law is to stop social boycotts.
This law will punish people who boycott others or deny them opportunities, access to public services, or participation in social and religious events.
The punishment includes jail time and fines.
The law aims to keep peace and harmony in society.
Karnataka Cabinet approved the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill 2025 and the Karnataka Social Boycott (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Bill, 2025.
The hate speech bill proposes penalties of 1-7 years imprisonment and Rs 50,000 fine for first offences, and 2-10 years and Rs 1,00,000 fine for repeat offences.
The social boycott bill proposes up to 3 years imprisonment and a fine of ₹1 lakh for offences related to social boycotts.
Hate speech is defined as any expression causing injury, disharmony, or hatred against a person, group, or community.
Social boycotts imposed by caste or community panchayats or by socially or economically influential persons or groups will be punishable offences.
- Who
- Karnataka Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah
- What
- Approved two bills: the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill 2025 and the Karnataka Social Boycott (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Bill, 2025
- When
- February 22, 2025 (approved by law minister), upcoming Belagavi session of the legislature
- Where
- Karnataka, India
- Why
- To prevent disturbances in society by regulating hate speech, hate crimes, and social boycotts
- Bill 1 Name
- Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill 2025
- Bill 2 Name
- Karnataka Social Boycott (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Bill, 2025
- Bill 1 Penalties
- 1-7 years imprisonment and Rs 50,000 fine for first offence; 2-10 years and Rs 1,00,000 fine for repeat offences
- Bill 2 Penalties
- Up to 3 years imprisonment and a fine of ₹1 lakh
- Bill 1 Definition of Hate Speech
- Any expression causing injury, disharmony, or hatred against a person, group, or community
- Bill 1 Definition of Hate Crime
- Communication of hate speech to cause disharmony or hatred
- Bill 1 Exemptions
- Public good, science, literature, art, learning, heritage, or religious purposes
- Bill 1 Action Initiation
- By executive magistrate, special executive magistrate, or police officer (rank of deputy superintendent or above)
- Bill 1 Collective Liability
- Organisation and its responsible persons liable for hate speech linked to the organisation
- Bill 1 Blocking Powers
- Designated officer can block or remove hate crime materials
- Bill 2 Social Boycott Prohibition Officer
- Designated officer not below the rank of Group ‘A’ officer
- Bill 2 Crimes Under Social Boycott
- Denial of opportunities, access to public services, refusal to do business, obstruction to religious, social events, and marriages, and expulsion of members of a community
Sources
Karnataka Cabinet Clears New Hate Speech & Hate Crimes Prevention Bill 2025
Karnataka cabinet approves bills on hate speech, cattle slaughter
Karnataka cabinet clears bill against social boycott, proposes 3-year jail, ₹1 lakh fine
Cabinet to clear tough new hate speech bill today; HM denies targeting BJP
