Karnataka Legislative Assembly passes Hate Speech Bill amid opposition from BJP

The bill was passed despite an incomplete debate amid uproar from BJP members

The Karnataka Legislative Assembly on Thursday passed the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, 2025.

The bill was passed in the Assembly despite an incomplete debate amid uproar from the opposing BJP. Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka even tore the document to register his protest.

Earlier, Home Minister G Parameshwara initiated the discussion on the bill, while Ashoka said under the proposed law, the police would become 'Hitlers' and infringe upon freedom of expression.

"It violates the constitutional provision of freedom of expression."

"Even cartoons and pictures have not been spared. It will also attack the freedom of press and curb digital freedom," the BJP leader claimed.

"There will be rampant extortion. There will be no bail but only jail under this law. What else should we expect from those who imposed Emergency in this country," Ashoka said taking a swipe at the ruling Congress.

According to him, all the crimes mentioned in the law are already there in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the new Indian Penal Code but yet the Congress government in Karnataka has brought it.

"This is a Brahmastra (ultimate deadly weapon) against the opposition. We will be the first to bear the brunt of the law and next in the line will be the media. Ultimately, it is vote bank politics," the LoP charged.

(With PTI inputs)