K'taka Assembly passes country's maiden anti-hate speech law; BJP calls it 'Brahmastra' against oppn
Belagavi (Karnataka) (PTI): The Karnataka Assembly on Thursday passed the country's maiden anti-hate speech legislation, which the BJP termed as a "Brahmastra" against the opposition and the media with an eye on "vote bank politics".
The Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill was passed in the House amid din by the BJP MLAs, with the government referring to the Supreme Court observations against hateful remarks.
The bill has a provision for a fine up to Rs one lakh and a jail term up to seven years.
Home Minister G Parameshwara said the provision for 10 years jail term in the event of repeated offence has been reduced to seven years.
The bill, cleared by the cabinet on December 4 was presented in the House by Parameshwara on December 10.
According to the bill, any expression, which is made, published or circulated in words either spoken or written or by signs or by visible representations or through electronic communication or otherwise, in public view, with an intention to cause injury, disharmony or feelings of enmity or hatred or ill-will against person alive or dead, class or group of persons or community, to meet any prejudicial interest, is hate speech.
While discussing the bill, Parameshwara said the Supreme Court had come down strongly against hate speech saying that it cannot be tolerated.
He said hate speech and hate crimes lead to murders, create social unrest and vitiate the society.
The minister pointed out that prejudices happen in the name of religion, language, disability, gender, sexual orientation, caste, race, the place of birth, tribe or residence.
"I think the law will bring a major change in the society," Parameshwara noted.
Leader of Opposition R Ashoka said the law will turn police into 'Hitler'.
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.
He also said that there will be a need for more prisons in the state, "which the pauper government cannot afford".
Ashoka cautioned the ruling Congress that the law was not good for it as well and advised it to be cautious while giving passage to the bill.
BJP MLA V Sunil Kumar sought to know what if someone quotes hate contents from a book, which can be religious.
In reply, the Home Minister said those books published in the past will also be covered under the law.
Sunil Kumar said the minister was inviting trouble for himself as he would quote hate contents in the religious books.
Participating in the discussion, Urban Development Minister Byrathi Suresh claimed coastal Karnataka is "burning" due to hate speech and hate crime.
Enraged with the statement, BJP MLAs from coastal Karnataka such as Vedavyas Kamath, Harish Poonja, Sunil Kumar and several others took strong objection and demanded an apology.
They then trooped to the well of the House to press for their demand. Other BJP MLAs followed suit.
Amid the din, the bill was passed by the House, which was later adjourned.
.
#WATCH | Belagavi, Karnataka | On Karnataka Assembly passes Hate Speech and Hate Crimes Prevention Bill, 2025, State Minister Priyank Kharge says, "The Supreme Court has laid down a very clear definition of hate speech. They have said hate speech should be curbed, correct? They… pic.twitter.com/3qTEjg86cd
— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2025
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Woman killed by tenants while collecting rent in Ghaziabad
Ghaziabad(UP) (PTI): A 48-year-old woman was killed allegedly by her tenants when she went to their flat to collect rent, police said on Thursday.
The deceased, identified as Deepshikha Sharma, was killed around 11 pm at Aura Chimera Society, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Nandgram Upasna Pandey said.
Preliminary investigation revealed that Deepshikha and her husband, Umesh Sharma, owned two flats in the society, one of which had been rented out to a couple.
She went to the rented flat to collect rent but did not return till late night, raising suspicion.
Her maid, along with neighbours, went to the flat to look for her, following which Deepshikha's body was recovered stuffed inside a red bag from the flat, the ACP said.
Police were informed at around 11.15 pm through the PRV, after which a team reached the spot and arrested the couple, identified as Ajay Gupta (35) and Akriti Gupta (33), she said.
A case was registered and the body was sent for post-mortem examination. Further investigation is underway, the ACP added.
#WATCH | Amethi, UP: On Landlady murdered over rent dispute, UP Women Commission Member Priyanka Maurya says, "... This incident has disgraced humanity. It is saddening and painful to hear about incidents like this. The couple have been arrested, and I believe strict action will… pic.twitter.com/Nj88sbYmHg
— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2025
