Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot on Thursday gave his assent to several Bills passed during the winter session of the state legislature in Belagavi, bringing them into force through publication in the state gazette.
The approved laws include the Karnataka Labour Welfare Fund (Amendment) Act, Greater Bengaluru (2nd Amendment) Act, Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (Amendment) Act, Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Heritage Area Development Authority (Amendment) Act, Bombay Public Trust (K.A) Act, and the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments (Amendment) Act.
However, several key and contentious Bills remain pending with the Governor’s office. These include the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention and Control) Bill, Karnataka Social Boycott (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Bill, Karnataka State Commission for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Amendment) Bill, Drugs and Cosmetics (Karnataka Amendment) Bill, and the Karnataka Scheduled Castes (Sub-Categorisation in Reservation) Bill. Additionally, the Karnataka Tank Conservation and Development Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2025, has been returned to the state government for reconsideration.
The Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, 2025, passed by the state government in December, had made Karnataka the first state in the country to introduce dedicated legislation aimed at tackling hate speech and hate crimes. The Bill defines hate speech as “any expression, spoken, written, by signs, visible representation, electronic communication or otherwise, made in public view, with the intention to cause injury, disharmony, or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will against a person, living or dead, a class or group of persons, or a community, to meet any prejudicial interest.”
The Bill’s passage in the Assembly was marked by controversy, with the Opposition and free speech activists raising concerns over potential misuse, overly broad definitions, and sweeping takedown provisions. Critics argued that the legislation could allow the arbitrary exercise of state power and restrict legitimate expression.
With the Governor yet to approve the Hate Speech and Hate Crimes Bill, its future remains uncertain, even as other Bills passed during the winter session have come into effect. The state government now awaits further decisions on the pending legislation.
Follow us
