By Arun Dev
A delegation of senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders on Monday again urged state governor Thaawarchand Gehlot to withhold assent to the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, describing the proposed law as draconian and a direct attack on free speech.
The delegation was led by R Ashoka, Leader of the Opposition in the legislative assembly, and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, Leader of Opposition in the legislative council.
Along with opposing the hate speech legislation, the leaders submitted memoranda seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into clashes in Ballari and questioning the state government’s actions following the demolition of allegedly illegal houses in Kogilu, in northern Bengaluru.
A separate petition accused the government of misusing the police machinery and alleged erosion of law and order. The BJP leaders highlighted the Hubballi incident, where police personnel are accused of disrobing a woman BJP worker.
“We met the Governor and informed him that the law and order situation in the state has deteriorated and it has become a goonda state,” Ashoka told reporters after the meeting. “Without anyone to question, Karnataka has become a jungle raj. As the first citizen of the state, and since all government orders are issued under his name, we have requested the Governor to save Karnataka from becoming a goonda state.”
Ashoka said the BJP had formally requested the Governor not to give assent to the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, which was passed during the recent session of the State Legislature. He alleged that chief minister Siddaramaiah and assembly speaker UT Khader ensured the bill’s passage without any discussion in the Assembly.
This story was originally published in hindustantimes.com. Read the full story here.