JD(S) urges Governor to withhold assent to Karnataka Hate Speech Bill
Bengaluru: A delegation of the Janata Dal (Secular) on Tuesday submitted a petition to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, urging him to withhold assent to the Hate Speech and Hate Crimes Bill passed by the Congress government during the Winter Session of the state Legislature.
According to a report published by Deccan Herald, the delegation, led by the party’s floor leader in the Assembly C B Suresh Babu, contended that the bill, in its present form, poses a serious threat to the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.
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The JD(S) leaders requested the Governor to exercise his constitutional discretion and refuse approval to the bill, arguing that several provisions could be misused to curb dissent and suppress opposing views. They also flagged concerns that certain clauses may be in conflict with constitutionally guaranteed rights.
“The bill does not guarantee protection for individual dignity, which is fundamental to democratic accountability,” the petition submitted to the Governor said.
JD(S) core committee president Krishna Reddy said the proposed legislation reflected misplaced priorities of the Congress government. “Instead of addressing citizens’ problems, the government is interested in this bill that snatches the right that guarantees Freedom of Speech and Expression. We have petitioned the Governor, and in the coming days, will launch an agitation to protest the bill,” he said.
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2 detained after comment over wedding procession to Dalit house sparks clash in UP's Shahjahanpur
Shahjahanpur (UP) (PTI): Two persons have been detained after a clash broke out allegedly over remarks targeting a Dalit family's wedding procession in Uttar Pradesh's Shahjahanpur district, police said on Saturday.
The incident occurred in Lai Kheda village under Tilhar police station area, where a wedding procession from Bareilly had arrived at a Dalit household on April 20.
According to SP Saurabh Dixit, when the procession was near the house of Rajpal Yadav, he allegedly made a remark saying "Now, Dalits will also take out wedding processions riding a buggy", leading to an argument. Yadav's side allegedly turned aggressive, escalating the conflict further.
Police said a scuffle ensued between the two sides. Upon receiving information, police personnel reached the spot and ensured that the procession was conducted peacefully after the incident.
An FIR was registered on Friday against Rajpal Yadav, Sumit, Amit, Surendra, Avdhesh Yadav and five unidentified persons based on a complaint. Rajpal Yadav and his son Sumit have been taken into custody and are being questioned, Dixit said.
The case has been registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, police said.
Dixit said preliminary findings suggest that Yadav, too, was hosting a function and processions from both sides had arrived around the same time. A dispute may have initially arisen due to a narrow passage and attempts to move the processions quickly.
Police have registered the case under relevant sections of the BNS and initiated further probe, officials said.
