Bengaluru, Feb. 2 -- Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has rejected his assent to Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crime (Prevention) Bill, 2025 and has forwarded it for the consideration of President Droupadi Murmu.

According to sources, the Governor has stated, "I hereby exercising the powers under Articles 200, 201 and 254 of the Constitution of India, reserve the Bill LA No. 79/2025 i.e., The Karantaka Hate Speech and Hate Crime (Prevention) Bill, 2025 (Bill No. 79 of 2025) for the kind consideration and assent of the President of India citing that there was need for more deliberations into the Bill."

The Lok Bhavan (previously Raj Bhavan) had also received about 40 representations against the proposed Bill. The Hate Speech Bill passed dur...