The Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, which prescribes penalty and imprisonment for hate crime, was tabled in the Assembly on Wednesday amid stern resistance by Opposition members. In all, 12 Bills were tabled in the House on Wednesday.
The Opposition members, particularly from the BJP, vociferously opposed the Bill and shouted “no” when Speaker U.T. Khader sought the consent of the House for tabling the Bill. The entire Opposition expressed resentment and said it would not allow the Bill to be adopted by the House.
The Bill tabled by Home Minister G. Parameshwara seeks to curb and prevent dissemination, publication or promotion of hate speech and crimes that cause disharmony and hatred in society against any person or group of persons or organisations.
What is a hate crime
It defines hate crime as communication of hate speech, by making, publishing or circulating or any act of promoting, propagating, inciting or abetting or attempting such hate speech to cause disharmony or feelings or enmity or hatred or ill-will against any person dead or alive or group of persons or an organisation.
