Will meet Governor, explain hate speech bill's features: Siddaramaiah

Bengaluru: Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday said he would meet governor Thawar Chand Gehlot and, if necessary, explain the features of the hate speech bill as the Lok Bhavan is facing immense resistance from the Opposition BJP.

The governor, Siddaramaiah told the media in Mangaluru, has neither returned nor rejected the bill. At the same time, he has not assented to it too, he added.

There is a sense of unease in the ruling Congress after the Lok Bhavan said in a statement, last week, that the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill was under its consideration. The proposed law prescribes a jail term of 1-7 years and a fine of up to ₹50,000 for offences related to hate speech.


BJP is seeking to use all options to block the bill from becoming a law as it fears that the Siddaramaiah government could use it as a weapon to target Opposition leaders.

Both the Houses of Karnataka assembly passed the bill last month. The move has inspired the neighbouring Telangana to plan a similar law.