Hindu outfit urges Karnataka governor to withhold assent to anti-hate speech bill
Bengaluru (PTI): The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, a right-wing organisation, has urged Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot to withhold assent to a bill aimed at curbing hate speech and hate crime, terming it "unconstitutional" and a "serious threat" to freedom of speech and religious liberty.
In a memorandum, the representatives of the organisation and other outfits opposed the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, 2025, and warned that its provisions could be misused, like suppressing dissent.
It claimed that the bill is "vague, overbroad and unconstitutional, and poses a serious threat to freedom of speech guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution, as well as to religious freedom."
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The Samiti, on Sunday, flagged what it termed "excessively vague and broad" definitions of "hate speech", "hate crime" and "bias-motivated interest", cautioning that these could criminalise speech even "in the absence of intent or imminent violence", thereby enabling arbitrary and selective action by authorities.
Raising concern over religious practices, the memorandum said the Bill shifts the burden of proof on the accused to establish "public interest" or "bona fide religious purpose". This said is contrary to established criminal jurisprudence, it said.
The Samiti warned that core Hindu activities such as "referencing Vedic scriptures, religious discourse, doctrinal debates, proselytisation discussions, or criticism of religious ideologies" could be criminalised under the proposed legislation.
Objecting to speech-related offences being made cognisable and non-bailable, the Samiti said this could result in immediate arrests, harassment of saints, social activists and journalists, and suppression of dissent and free expression.
The memorandum also criticised the Bill for granting "sweeping powers to executive magistrates and police officials" without adequate judicial oversight, including authority to remove content "without proper inquiry or a robust appellate mechanism"
This violates the principles of natural justice, the Samiti said.
Pointing to overlap with existing Central laws, it said matters covered under the Bill are already addressed in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Information Technology Act. It warned that the state law risks conflict under Article 254 of the Constitution.
The Samiti requested the governor to "withhold assent to the Bill under Article 200 of the Constitution" and "return the Bill to the legislature for reconsideration, with clear definitions, safeguards for freedom of speech and religion, and judicial oversight mechanisms".
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Delhi man arrested for running online racket selling counterfeit Ayurvedic products
Tumakuru (Karnataka) (PTI): Police on Thursday announced the arrest of a 56-year-old man from Delhi for allegedly manufacturing and selling counterfeit weight loss powder and spurious Ayurvedic products via e-commerce platforms using duplicate branding.
The accused, identified as Rajeev Khanna, had been operating the business for around one-and-a-half years, police said.
His sons, Himanshu (29) and Manan Khanna (25), have also been named in the case for allegedly assisting their father in running the racket in Delhi. Both are absconding.
The matter came to light after Dhanalakshmi, owner of Jeeni Company in Yaragunte village, Tumakuru district, filed a complaint at Kallambella Police Station on August 14, 2025, police said.
According to the complaint, R K Traders of Delhi was misusing the trademark of Jeeni Company and selling products online under the same brand name.
She also warned that the sale of such counterfeit products could pose health risks to the public, including children.
Based on the complaint, police registered a case against Rajeev Khanna under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
“During the investigation, the team traced the warehouse where the accused was manufacturing counterfeit products. On March 27, police conducted a raid at a godown in Punjabi Mohalla, Shalimar Bagh area of New Delhi,” Tumakuru Superintendent of Police Ashok K V said in a statement.
During the raid, police recovered counterfeit Jeeni Company products, duplicate Ayurvedic tablets, beauty creams, and Ayurvedic powders commonly used by the public.
The accused was allegedly manufacturing and selling these products through R K Traders, M K Traders, and MHK Traders on e-commerce platforms without required safety precautions or regulatory approvals, the SP added.
The matter was also reported to the Drug Controller in Delhi and the local Shalimar Bagh Police authorities.
“With the assistance of his sons, Himanshu and Manan Khanna, along with others, the accused was manufacturing counterfeit products and selling them online for financial gain,” the SP said.
Police said Rajeev Khanna is believed to have cheated Jeeni Company of over Rs 15 lakh and caused losses worth crores of rupees to other companies.
On March 28, Rajeev Khanna was taken into custody in Delhi and brought to Kallambella Police Station, where he was formally arrested. He was later produced before the Sira court and taken into police custody for further investigation, the SP added.
During interrogation, the accused admitted to filling wheat flour into containers and selling them as “Jeeni Slim Powder” with duplicated labels and packaging.
He also confessed to selling wheat flour in containers labelled as genuine Ayurvedic tablets and powders, police said.
