Editorial: ‘Hate Speech’ Bill oversteps the line

Karnataka’s Hate Speech Bill risks becoming a cure more dangerous than the disease

The thin dividing line between freedom of speech and ‘reasonable restriction’, as enshrined in the Constitution, should not be allowed to be weaponised by governments to suit their narratives. Any attempt by the authorities, irrespective of the party in power, to appropriate sweeping powers to impose curbs on free speech would amount to setting a dangerous precedent. Freedom of speech and expression form part of the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Democracy would be in peril if dissent and diversity were snuffed out from the public sphere. Dissent, disagreement and debate are the essential ingredients of a successful democracy. It is for this reason that the Karnataka government’s hat