A right-wing organisation, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, has urged Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot to withhold assent to the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, 2025, calling it unconstitutional and a serious threat to freedom of speech and religious liberty. In a memorandum submitted to the Governor, the Samiti and representatives of allied groups warned that the proposed legislation could be misused to suppress dissent and curb legitimate expression under the guise of preventing hate speech.
The organisation claimed that the Bill contains “vague and overbroad” definitions of hate speech, hate crime and bias-motivated conduct, which could criminalise speech even in the absence of intent or imminent violence. It argued that such provisions undermine the fundamental right to free speech guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution and could enable arbitrary and selective action by authorities. The Samiti also expressed concern over provisions that shift the burden of proof onto the accused to establish “public interest” or a “bona fide religious purpose”, terming it contrary to established principles of criminal jurisprudence.
Raising alarms over potential impact on religious practices, the memorandum warned that core Hindu activities such as referencing scriptures, religious discourse, doctrinal debates and criticism of religious ideologies could fall foul of the law. It also objected to making speech-related offences cognisable and non-bailable, cautioning that this could lead to immediate arrests and harassment of saints, social activists and journalists. The Samiti further criticised the Bill for granting sweeping powers to executive magistrates and police officials without adequate judicial oversight, and pointed to overlap with existing central laws like the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the IT Act. Citing Article 200 of the Constitution, it requested the Governor to return the Bill to the legislature for reconsideration with clearer definitions, safeguards for free speech and religion, and stronger judicial oversight mechanisms.
