Karnataka's legislature has passed the Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, 2025, aiming to stop hate speech and related crimes. The bill targets public expressions in speech, print, TV, and social media that spark communal tension or target groups. It defines hate speech broadly and treats communication of hate speech as a hate crime. If signed by the governor, those found guilty could face one to seven years in jail and fines of up to 50,000 rupees. The bill gives the state government power to order removal of hate content online, a power currently held only by the federal government. The Congress-led Karnataka government argues this law is needed due to rising hate speech, especially against minorities like Muslims, which shot up 74% in 2024 around the national elections. Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara said the bill closes legal gaps and makes hate speech cases non-bailable. However, the BJP, which leads India nationally but is opposition in Karnataka, opposes the law, calling it unnecessary and a threat to free speech. Opposition leader R Ashoka warned it could jail opposition and media voices. Legal experts have echoed concerns. Lawyer Sanjay Hegde cautioned the law might be misused for political reasons. Advocate Alok Prasanna Kumar noted "enormous scope for misuse." Academics point out the bill blurs lines between hate speech and hate crime, treating communication itself as criminal even without violence. A 2015 Supreme Court ruling requires hate speech laws to be clear and precise to avoid chilling free expression. Some urge the governor to delay signing and send the bill to the president. Activist Girish Bhardwaj said the bill gives too much power to police and officials to decide what speech is illegal, risking conflicts of interest. A senior Karnataka official stated the law removes the need for government approval to file charges, aiming to prevent political interference and speed up prosecutions. However, critics fear police discretion may lead to misuse, as "the first step is the police; the judiciary comes much later." The debate continues over whether this new law will effectively curb hate speech without hurting free speech rights in India.