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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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.
Contest State Takedowns In Court
- When the state removes online content, citizens face uphill legal battles to restore speech.
- Challenge takedowns in court but expect bureaucratic delays and limited immediate remedies.
Guilt By Association Risk For Groups
- The bill allows collective punishment of organisations by broadly defining 'institutions' as associations of persons.
- Vishwanath warns this creates guilt by association and risks punishing groups for an individual's speech.