Bengaluru, Jan. 13 -- A delegation of senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders on Monday again urged state governor Thaawarchand Gehlot to withhold assent to the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, describing the proposed law as draconian and a direct attack on free speech.

The delegation was led by R Ashoka, Leader of the Opposition in the legislative assembly, and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, Leader of Opposition in the legislative council.

Along with opposing the hate speech legislation, the leaders submitted memoranda seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into clashes in Ballari and questioning the state government's actions following the demolition of allegedly illegal houses in Kogilu, in northern Ben...