In the last three years more than 100 hate speech cases have been registered in Karnataka.
Citizens of Karnataka are concerned about the rising number of hate speech cases being registered in Karnataka. They are urging the government to separate religion and politics for the upcoming assembly elections of 2023.
Sai Prakash, a member of Citizen Forum for Humanitarian Values and Inclusivity in Politics said, “Religion and politics do not go together, the number of communal conflicts and hate speech cases have increased in our state and nation as well. Hate speeches divide people and are not a sign of civilised society.”
As reported 105 hate speech cases have been registered between January 2020 to January 2023 in Karnataka. With 55 of the 105 cases in Bengaluru, the city has topped the chart for hate speech cases.
Recently Karnataka Horticulture Minister, Munirathna was booked by the Rajarajeshwari Nagar police for his hate speech against the Christians.
Margret Rebello, a retired teacher, who runs many welfare programme and interfaith movement, said, “I do not recognise this new India because what is happening in our country is beyond my understanding. People in power are getting away with everything and minority communities are suffering because of that.”
Kannada actor Chetan Kumar Ahimsa was also recently arrested by the Bengaluru police for promoting hate speech on social media recently. He had tweeted, “Hindutva is built on lies.” After his tweet, Central Government had cancelled his Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card by accusing him of carrying out “anti-India activities,” reported Deccan Herald.
In a recent update, the Karnataka High court stayed the order which cancelled Chetan OCI card.
Karnataka citizens urging the government to separate religion and politics.
Judges of Supreme Court (SC), Justice KM Joseph and Justice BV Nagarathna while speaking on hate speech said, “This is a complete menace and nothing short of it. We should all be careful about the seriousness of hate speech…..We should not end up creating a Frankenstein(‘s monster) that will gobble (us) up.”
SC has also asked the state governments to take action against anyone irrespective of their religion and political status as the crime is against societal harmony.
Dr. Rajshri Bhatia, women wing president of Republican Party of India said, “Societal privilege allows big leaders to get away with hate speech, it is high time for us to hold them accountable.”
“Religion is a private affair but politics is social. People have the right to voice their opinions about political leaders and government,” said Rebello.
