Belagavi, Dec. 18 -- In a significant move to curb hate speech and hate crimes, the Karnataka Legislative Assembly on Thursday passed a landmark bill aimed at preventing offences that incite communal disharmony or target individuals on the basis of religion, caste or community.
Participating in the debate, Home Minister G. Parameshwara said the legislation provides for stringent punishment. Those convicted of hate crimes will face a minimum prison term of one year, which may extend up to seven years, accompanied by a fine of Rs 50,000.
Repeat offenders, those committing such offences two or three times, could be sentenced to at least two years in jail, with the fine increased to Rs 1 lakh.
The bill reflects the state government's proacti...