Archive · 11 Dec 2025
Karnataka Introduces Bills on Wellbeing and Hate Speech
The Karnataka government has introduced two important bills.
The first is the Karnataka Women Wellbeing Leave Bill 2025, which offers menstrual leave to working women, students, trans persons, and various workers.
Working women can take one day of leave per month, while students can take up to two days with a 2% relaxation in attendance requirements.
The bill also allows for work from home options if leave is not taken.
A new authority will be set up to oversee the implementation of the bill, and there will be penalties for those who do not follow the rules.
The second bill is the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, 2025.
This bill aims to prevent hate speech and hate crimes by defining hate speech and hate crimes and providing punishments for offenders.
The bill also empowers the government to remove hate crime material from various media portals.
Both bills are expected to be discussed and approved during the current legislative session.
Karnataka introduces the Karnataka Women Wellbeing Leave Bill 2025, offering menstrual leave for working women, students, trans persons, and various workers.
Working women can take one day of leave per month, while students can take up to two days with a 2% relaxation in attendance requirements.
The bill allows for work from home options if leave is not taken, and does not require a doctor's certificate.
A new authority, the Karnataka Women Wellbeing Authority, will be established to oversee the implementation of the bill.
Penalties of up to ₹5,000 are proposed for those who deny menstrual leave or discriminate against menstruating individuals.
- Who
- Karnataka government, working women, students, trans persons, ASHAs, anganwadi, and midday meal personnel, and those working in mines, Home Minister G Parameshwara
- What
- Introduction of the Karnataka Women Wellbeing Leave Bill 2025 and the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, 2025
- When
- Expected to be tabled during the ongoing Winter Session of the Legislature in Belagavi
- Where
- Karnataka, India
- Why
- To expand the scope of labour and student well-being following recent labour reforms and to curb and prevent dissemination, publication or promotion of hate speech and crimes
- Leave Duration for Working Women
- 1 day per month
- Leave Duration for Students
- 2 days per month
- Attendance Relaxation for Students
- 2% relaxation in overall attendance requirements
- Penalty for Non-Compliance (Wellbeing Leave)
- Up to ₹5,000 for each contravention
- Authority to Oversee Implementation (Wellbeing Leave)
- Karnataka Women Wellbeing Authority
- Upper Age Limit for Eligibility (Wellbeing Leave)
- 52 years or till menopause
- Meeting Frequency of the Authority (Wellbeing Leave)
- Once every three months
- Penalty for First-Time Offenders (Hate Speech)
- 1 to 7 years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5,000
- Penalty for Repeat Offenders (Hate Speech)
- Up to 10 years in jail and fines up to Rs 1 lakh
- Definition of Hate Speech
- Any public expression intended to incite enmity, hatred, or ill-will based on religion, caste, gender, sexual orientation, language, or disability
Sources
In a first, Karnataka’s new bill to offer menstrual leaves, WFH flexibility for workers, students and trans persons
Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crime Bill tabled
Karnataka Govt Tables Hate Speech Bill with Up to 10-Year Jail Term
Karnataka tables hate speech and hate crime bill with 10 year jail clause amid BJP opposition
Karnataka tables Bill to combat hate speech, hate crimes
7-10 yrs jail, collective punishment: Karnataka tables hate speech Bill
Cong govt tables Hate Speech Bill in Assembly
