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This story is from February 24, 2023

100+ hate speech cases in 3 years in Karnataka, 52% in Bengaluru

100+ hate speech cases in 3 years in Karnataka, 52% in Bengaluru
BENGALURU: Karnataka has seen at least 105 hate speech cases registered between January 2020 to January 2023 as per the number of FIRs registered by the police. And, home department data for 24 districts that have reported such cases shows that more than 52% were registered in Bengaluru.
According to the government, the home department, as part of its measures to control hate speeches that threaten harmony, “appropriate legal action is being taken against the accused in such cases and final reports are being submitted to courts.”
All police officers have been directed to take appropriate action if complaints are received about such incidents and the department has been ensuring that there’s no unrest caused by such instances in the society.
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As per the data, the most number of such cases were registered in 2022, when it more than doubled from the previous year (2021). In 2021, the cases had dipped by nearly 46% compared to the previous year.
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With 55 of the 105 cases, Bengaluru clearly tops the chart, while the other 23 districts only have single-digit cases. Among them, Bidar, Kalaburgi, Shivamogga and Haveri have the most number of cases after Bengaluru (see graphic). In Bengaluru, most cases were registered in 2020, followed by those in 2022.
Home minister Araga Jnanendra has told the legislature assembly that among the various measures, the government was holding “public meetings to create awareness about the reality of such speeches, statements and messages which incite hatred among different religions. The public is also being made aware of this by way of social media.”

Action Selective: Activists

Human rights activists, while welcoming the action taken so far, argue that there are tens of other instances of hate speeches where authorities have not registered cases and urged the government to follow Supreme Court directions mandating suo motu action against such speeches and prevent disharmony.
In fact, on Tuesday, a group of lawyers, women’s rights activists, students and members of Campaign Against Hate Speech held a protest outside the director general of police’s (DGP) office in Bengaluru against the increasing number of hate speeches in the state.
Vinay Sreenivas, member, Campaign Against Hate Speech, said: “We have so far not got an appointment with the DG, but our memorandum has been submitted to the IGP (public grievances and HR) Debajyit Ray, in the absence of DGP. While there have been instances of police acting suo motu against people like actor Chethan Ahimsa, activist Amulya and others, they have not acted against some others like Pramod Muthalik.”
Activists also cited the Supreme Court, which in the Shaheen Abdulla versus Union of India and others case, in 2022, had directed Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Delhi governments to take up suo-motu action against hate speech crimes without waiting for formal complaints irrespective of the religion of the offender.
Quoting four specific statements made in the past few weeks, their memorandum reads: “Many of these are repeat offenders… Sir, the constitution promises all of us equality and dignity. Hate speeches like these are not only a threat to the safety of the most marginalised but also hurts the right to equality and dignity of minorities who are targeted.”
Activists also drew the attention of the DG to Section 65(d)(e) of the Karnataka Police Act, which states “that it is the duty of the police to prevent the commission of offences and to prevent the breach of the public peace.”
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