BJP founding father of hate speech, says Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar as Opposition vows to block the bill
“BJP is the founding father of hate speech and sows seeds of hatred between castes and religions,” he told the media in Belagavi.
If the BJP had acted in accordance with the spirit of the Constitution, there would have been no hate speech and hence there would have been no need for the Bill. “We have taken this step to protect the Constitution,” Shivakumar said.
Haveri-Gadag MP Basavaraj Bommai (BJP) termed the bill as a draconian law as it challenges the Right to Speech, a fundamental right under the Constitution.
He told the media in Delhi that there was no need to introduce a separate law as there were already sections in the Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita that dealt with such situations. “Fundamental rights are in danger in Karnataka and an emergency has been declared in the state. We will approach the court to protect the fundamental rights of the people,” Bommai said. he said.
Venture capitalist Mohandas Pai said that with the bill, the government is “trying to create a Police State and a state of fear. This will also greatly increase rent-seeking. CM, is this your idea of a Liberal State restricting freedom of expression?” He called the bill “very bad for Kannadigas and Karnataka”.
Despite the BJP promising to block it, many citizens criticized the government’s move after it tabled a bill in the legislature on Wednesday proposing harsh penalties for those who make hate speeches. Critics say one of the aims of the bill is to rein in Sangh Parivar organisations. The government says the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, 2025 aims to curb and prevent the spread, publication or promotion of hate speech and crimes, prescribe punishment for such crimes and provide compensation to victims of such crimes.
