BJP opposes hate speech Bill as party indulges in provocative speeches: CM Siddaramaiah
Mysuru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said that the BJP is opposing hate speech legislation passed by the state legislature, as the saffron party is allegedly involved in making hateful and provocative speeches.
He said the government has brought in the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill to maintain peace and brotherhood in society and to put an end to hate speeches.
The Bill has been passed by both houses of the state legislature, amid BJP and JD(S)' strong opposition, during the winter session in Belagavi that concluded on December 19. It will now be sent to the Governor for his assent, for the Bill to become law.
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The BJP, which has termed the Bill as "draconian", "direct attack on free speech" and "dangerous tool for political vendetta", has written to the Governor of Karnataka not to give assent to the Bill.
"Only those making hate and provocative speech will oppose (the Bill). If you don't make such speeches, why will some file a criminal case against you?" Siddaramaiah told reporters in response to a question.
Asking as to why the BJP is worried, he said, the proposed legislation is applicable to everyone, whether they are from the Congress, BJP, JD(S) or any other party.
"Why are you (BJP) opposing? Will there be peace in society if there are hate speeches? To maintain peace and brotherhood in society, this Bill has been brought. Hate speeches have increased in recent days, so to prohibit them, we have taken this step," he added.
Asked as to why the BJP is opposed to the Bill, the CM said, "It means that they are making provocative speeches."
The Bill proposes a jail term of one year, extendable up to seven years, with a fine of Rs 50,000 for a hate crime. For repeated offences, the maximum imprisonment will be seven years, with a fine of Rs 1 lakh.
Stating that the funds under the "Gruha Lakshmi" scheme have not been released to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries for the months of February and March, Siddaramaiah said, "We are examining its release."
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Rs 2,000 monthly assistance is being paid to the woman head of every family under the Gruha Lakshmi.
To a question on BJP targeting the government regarding the non-release of funds, Siddaramaiah said, "Is BJP giving (funds) to target us? ...we have given money to beneficiaries for 23 months so far, can we give it without having funds? Is it possible to misappropriate the money when money is paid directly to beneficiaries' bank accounts?"
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Heavy rain, hailstorms likely to lash Uttarakhand on Tuesday; IMD issues warning
Dehradun/Pithoragarh (PTI): The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning for heavy rain and hailstorms across several districts of Uttarakhand on Tuesday, as temperatures remained markedly below normal in the region.
Heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places in Dehradun, Haridwar, Tehri, Pauri, Nainital, Champawat, and Udham Singh Nagar districts. Most places across all districts are expected to receive light to moderate rain or thunderstorms, while higher reaches are likely to witness snowfall, officials said on Monday.
The weather department warned of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, hail and intense spells of rain in six districts, including Dehradun and Nainital. Gusty winds with speeds reaching 40-50 kmph are also expected at isolated locations in these areas and other hilly districts.
In the state capital, Dehradun, the sky is forecast to remain partly cloudy with light rain and thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds of 30-40 kmph.
The maximum and minimum temperatures in the city are expected to hover around 31 degrees Celsius and 19 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Maximum temperatures during the past 24 hours remained markedly below normal in the hills and appreciably below normal in the plains. While no significant change in temperature is expected over the next 2-3 days, the IMD predicts a rise of 3-5 degrees Celsius during the subsequent 3-4 days.
Rainfall was recorded in several areas after 8.30 am today, with Ramnagar receiving 31.5 mm and Nainital recording 26.5 mm. Other areas, including Pithoragarh, Khatima and Champawat, also reported moderate precipitation.
Authorities have stopped a batch of 36 Adi Kailash pilgrims at the Dharchula base camp and placed the high-altitude yatra route on high alert following heavy rains and hailstorms in the district on Monday.
Dharchula SDM Ashish Joshi said the pilgrimage was halted due to adverse weather conditions. The issuance of new inner-line passes has been suspended until the weather normalises.
With 1,700 passes issued so far, pilgrims already at higher camps are being monitored for safety, the official added.
