3 Things Karnataka's hate speech bill, Odisha's land tensions, and Bondi Beach shooting
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Dec 17, 2025 Apurva Vishwanath, the Legal Affairs Editor at The Indian Express, delves into Karnataka’s proposed hate speech law, highlighting its broad definitions and potential for arbitrary policing. He discusses the chilling effects on free speech and the risks of overbroad laws. Sujit Bisoyi, a reporter from Odisha, uncovers the communal tensions ignited by a tribal woman's murder and the historical land disputes with Bengali refugees. The conversation also touches on the international implications of a mass shooting in Australia linked to individuals from Hyderabad.
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Broad Definition Expands State Power
- Karnataka's bill expands hate speech beyond religion to caste, sex and place of birth, aligning with constitutional protected categories.
- Apurva Vishwanath warns that broader definitions risk arbitrary use by the state depending on political will.
Enforcement, Not Law, Often Decides Outcomes
- Overbroad speech laws enable selective enforcement because police take cues from political masters.
- Apurva cites Assam's arrests to show how enforcement reflects political choices, not neutral standards.
Process Is The Real Punishment
- The judicial process filters many hate-speech accusations, and conviction rates remain low.
- Vishwanath notes that initial arrest and prosecution often function as punishment regardless of final trial outcome.