The fate of two significant pieces of legislation passed by the Karnataka legislature hangs in the balance as Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has delayed granting his assent. The Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill remains under consideration, while the Karnataka Scheduled Castes (sub-classification) Bill has been returned to the state government for clarifications.
Governor's Office Awaits Decision on Landmark Hate Speech Law
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, speaking to reporters in Mangaluru on Sunday, revealed that his government is still awaiting a response from Raj Bhavan regarding the pioneering hate speech legislation. He clarified that the bill, which was passed unanimously during the winter session, has not been rejected. "It is not rejected, sent back or accepted yet," Siddaramaiah stated, adding that the government is prepared to provide any required clarification sought by the governor's office.
This legislative delay is set against a backdrop of political opposition. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which opposed the bill in the legislature, is expected to formally petition Governor Gehlot urging him not to grant assent to the proposed law. If enacted, this would be India's first dedicated anti-hate speech and hate crimes law at the state level.
Internal Reservation Bill Returned, Government Recruitments Affected
In a parallel development, the governor has officially returned the Karnataka Scheduled Castes (sub-classification) Bill. This legislation aims to implement internal reservation within the 17% quota for Scheduled Castes, dividing it into three distinct groups. According to the bill's provisions, Group A and Group B would each receive a 6% reservation, while Group C would be allocated 5%.
Sources within the state's law department confirmed the bill's return, noting that the exact nature of the clarifications sought by the governor will be known once the files are received. The bill has faced opposition from nomadic tribes demanding a separate 1% quota for their community.
The delay in implementing this internal reservation is having tangible consequences. The state government had previously decided to freeze all recruitments until the new quota structure was finalized, a move that will now be prolonged. This freeze was instituted prior to the formation of a commission in November 2024 tasked with determining the internal reservation framework.
Winter Session Bills: A Mixed Outcome
The winter session of the Karnataka legislature, which concluded in the third week of December 2025, saw 22 bills sent for the governor's assent. Of these, 19 have been approved. Apart from the SC sub-classification bill, the governor has also returned the Shree Chamundeshwari Kshetra Development Authority and Certain Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, seeking further clarifications.
The ongoing standoff highlights the continuing tensions between the Congress-led state government and the governor's office. The hate speech bill remains the only one still under active consideration from the winter session batch, its future uncertain amidst political maneuvering and procedural scrutiny. All eyes are now on Raj Bhavan for its next move, which will significantly impact Karnataka's legal and social landscape.
