Belagavi, Dec. 20 -- A day after the Hate Speech Bill was passed by Karnataka Legislative Assembly, the Bill was also passed by Karnataka Legislative Council yesterday amid strong protest from Opposition parties BJP and JD(S), terming it as "draconian", "direct attack on free speech" and "dangerous tool for political vendetta."

The Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, tabled by Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwar, was put to vote, amid protests from Opposition members from the Well of the House. The Opposition demanded that the Bill be withdrawn, alleging that the proposed Legislation will lead to "police state", and "undeclared emergency", where even criticism can be considered as hate speech.

He said that the Bill pro...