Mangaluru: Bharath Shetty slams Congress government over anti–hate speech Bill, calls it threat to free expression

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, December 25, 2025: Mangaluru North MLA Dr Bharath Shetty Y on Wednesday strongly criticised the Congress-led state government, alleging that the proposed anti–hate speech Bill is being brought to suppress the voices of the Opposition and journalists.

Addressing a protest organised by the Mangaluru North Assembly constituency unit of the BJP against the Bill, Dr Shetty accused the government of attempting to use the legislation as a weapon against those who highlight the alleged failures of the Congress party. He expressed outrage that the Bill was passed without allowing adequate discussion in the House.

The MLA alleged that the anti–hate speech Bill has a “dark and dangerous face” and empowers the police to register cases and directly jail people, including social media users, journalists, those raising patriotic slogans, and even individuals chanting the names of Hindu deities.

He further claimed that the Bill grants police the authority to prevent key speakers from participating in protests and even religious programmes by filing cases against them in advance, thereby stopping events before they take place.

Describing the legislation as an attempt to curb freedom of expression and appease a particular section, Dr Shetty asserted that the BJP strongly opposes the Bill. He also declared that the party would stand firmly with its workers if the law is misused against them.

The protest was attended by BJP mandal president Kottari, former corporators of the Mangaluru City Corporation, and several party leaders and workers.