Bengaluru: The Karnataka Assembly on Thursday passed a landmark bill aimed at preventing hate speech and hate crimes, making it the first such law of its kind in India. The legislation criminalises expressions that promote hatred, hostility or disharmony based on religion, caste, race, language, gender, sexual
orientation, place of birth, disability or community identity.
The law covers spoken, written, visual and electronic communication made in public with the intent to harm individuals or groups. For repeat offences, the punishment includes imprisonment of up to seven years and a fine of up to Rs one lakh.
The bill was passed amid loud protests by BJP legislators, who objected to remarks linking hate speech to rising tensions in coastal Karnataka. Despite the uproar, the House cleared the bill, marking a significant shift in the legal approach to hate-related offences.
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