Karnataka Hate Speech Bill Faces Opposition; Activist Girish Bharadwaj Urges President To Withhold Assent
BENGALURU: A fresh political and constitutional debate has erupted over the proposed Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, 2025, with social activist Girish Bharadwaj formally urging the President of India to withhold assent, alleging that the legislation is vague, overbroad and susceptible to political misuse.
The development comes after the Governor of Karnataka declined to grant assent to the Bill and reserved it for the consideration of the President under Article 201 of the Constitution. In his representation, Bharadwaj argued that the proposed law suffers from “serious constitutional, legal, and democratic infirmities” that threaten fundamental rights, particularly freedom of speech and expression guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a).
Read more at: https://organiser.org/2026/03/04/342680/bharat/karnataka-hate-speech-bill-faces-opposition-activist-girish-bharadwaj-urges-president-to-withhold-assent/
- 9 Mar 2026
- WerIndia
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