Archive · 19 Dec 2025
Karnataka passes hate speech and social boycott bills
The Karnataka government passed two new laws to make society safer and more equal.
The first law is about stopping hate speech, which means saying or doing things that hurt people based on their religion, caste, gender, or other things.
People who do this can go to jail for up to seven years.
The second law is about stopping social boycott, which means treating people badly because they are different.
People who do this can go to jail for up to three years.
The opposition parties, BJP and JD(S), say the first law is bad because it might be used to punish people unfairly and stop them from speaking freely.
The second law was passed without any arguments, and everyone agreed it was a good idea.
The Karnataka Legislative Assembly passed two bills: 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 defines hate speech as any public expression intended to incite enmity, hatred, or ill-will based on religion, caste, gender, sexual orientation, language, or disability.
Offenders under the Hate Speech Bill may face imprisonment from 1 to 7 years and a fine of Rs 5,000, with repeat offenders facing fines up to Rs 1 lakh.
The Social Boycott Bill defines social boycott as any gesture or act of social discrimination between members of the community and proposes up to 3 years of imprisonment and a fine extending up to Rs 1 lakh.
The BJP and JD(S) oppose the Hate Speech Bill, arguing it violates freedom of expression and could be used for political vendetta, while the Social Boycott Bill was passed unanimously with support from BJP and JD(S) MLAs.
- Who
- Karnataka Legislative Assembly and Council, Congress government, BJP and JD(S) opposition
- What
- Passage of The Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, 2025 and The Karnataka Social Boycott (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Bill, 2025
- When
- Thursday and Friday (December 19, 2024)
- Where
- Legislative Assembly in Belagavi and Legislative Council in Bengaluru
- Why
- To prevent hate speech, social boycott, and crimes causing disharmony and hatred in society
Congress Government
BJP and JD(S) Opposition
Hate Speech Bill
Congress Government
The bill is necessary to prevent hate speech and crimes causing disharmony and hatred in society.
BJP and JD(S) Opposition
The bill is draconian, a direct attack on free speech, and a dangerous tool for political vendetta.
- Bill Name 1
- The Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, 2025
- Bill Name 2
- The Karnataka Social Boycott (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Bill, 2025
- Purpose 1
- To curb and prevent hate speech and crimes causing disharmony and hatred in society
- Purpose 2
- To prevent social boycott and promote equality in society
- Penalties 1
- Imprisonment from 1 to 7 years and a fine of Rs 5,000; repeat offenders may face fines up to Rs 1 lakh
- Penalties 2
- Imprisonment up to 3 years and a fine extending up to Rs 1 lakh
- Definition of Hate Speech
- Any public expression—verbal, written, visual, or electronic—intended to incite enmity, hatred, or ill-will based on religion, caste, gender, sexual orientation, language, or disability
- Definition of Social Boycott
- Any gesture or act, whether oral or written, of social discrimination between members of the community
- Opposition's Concern
- Violation of freedom of expression and potential for political vendetta
- Location of Passage
- Legislative Assembly in Belagavi
- Date of Passage
- Thursday (specific date not mentioned)
- Date of Council Passage
- Friday, December 19, 2024
Sources
Karnataka passes hate speech Bill amid protests; it will ‘turn police into Hitler’, says BJP
Karnataka hate speech Bill exposes a political failure by Congress
Karnataka Assembly passes Social Boycott Prevention Bill
Stormy Debate Over Hate Speech Bill
K’taka Assembly passes country's maiden anti-hate speech law
Karnataka Assembly passes hate speech bill amid uproar by Opposition
Stormy debate over Hate Speech Bill
Karnataka Legislative Council passes hate speech bill amid opposition protest
Hate speech Bill passed in Karnataka amid Opposition protest
