Category: State Current Affairs

Karnataka’s Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill

News –

• The State Cabinet approved the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, 2025.
• Objective – to effectively curb, prevent, dissemination, publication or promotion of hate speech and hate crimes, which cause disharmony and hatred in society.

Key Features of the Bill

• Purpose and Scope: It seeks to prevent dissemination, publication, and promotion of hate speech and hate crimes.
• It aims to curb actions causing injury, disharmony, enmity, or hatred against individuals, groups, or organisations.
• It is applicable to both persons and institutions.
• Hate speech definition – It includes any expression which is made, published, or circulated in words, either spoken or written, or by signs or by visible representations or through electronic communication in public view, with an intention to cause injury, disharmony, or feelings of enmity or hatred or ill-will against a person alive or dead, a class or group of persons, or a community to meet any prejudicial interest.
• The prejudicial interest includes religion, race, caste or community, sex, gender, sexual orientation, place of birth, residence, language, disability or tribe.
• The punishment for hate crime includes imprisonment from one to seven years and a fine of ₹50,000.
• The offences are cognisable, non-bailable, and triable by the Judicial Magistrate First Class.
• Alignment with Central Laws: The Bill incorporates provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 for procedural uniformity.

Constitutional Provisions

• Article 19(2) – It deals with the reasonable restrictions that can be placed on the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a).
• Conditions under which speech can be restricted by the state: Security of the State, Public Order, Decency or Morality, Contempt of Court, Defamation, Incitement to Offense.

Steps taken  address hate speech

• Indian Penal Code (IPC) / Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023: Specific sections like Section 153A, Section 295A, etc in penal codes criminalize promoting enmity between groups (religion, race, language), outraging religious feelings, or inciting public fear/disorder.
• Representation of the People Act, 1951: Sec. 123(3), 123(3A): Prohibit political speech that promotes hatred or appeals to religion, caste, community during elections.
• The Supreme Court, in the case of Pravasi Bhalai Sangathan v. Union of India (2014), acknowledged the lack of specific legislation on hate speech and recommended that the Parliament enact a comprehensive law to address this issue
• In the case of Amish Devgan v. Union of India (2020) the Supreme Court of India addressed the balance between freedom of speech and expression (Article 19) and the need to restrict hate speech to maintain public order and communal harmony.

India-Taiwan Industrial Park to come up in State

News –

• The Allegiance International Co. Ltd. of Taiwan will establish an India-Taiwan Industrial Park (ITIP) in Karnataka with an investment of ₹1,000 crore.
• Significance of the move – this collaboration will strengthen Karnataka’s position as India’s leading destination for Electronics System Design and Manufacturing

Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM)

• It is a not-for-profit organization established in 2021 by the Government of Karnataka.
• It serves as a “knowledge bridge” between the state government and the technology industry to accelerate digital growth and investments.

Core Objectives

• Economic Impact: Aims to help Karnataka contribute $300 billion toward India’s goal of a $1 trillion digital economy by 2030.
• Startup Growth: Targets the creation of 10,000 startups in regional clusters (outside Bengaluru) by 2030.
• Employment: Focuses on creating 5 million skilled and semi-skilled jobs within the digital sector.

Key Focus Areas (Verticals)

• Innovation & Startups: Facilitating access to capital, mentorship, and networking for early-stage companies.
• Beyond Bengaluru: Decentralizing the tech industry by developing clusters in Mysuru, Mangaluru, Hubballi-Dharwad-Belagavi, Kalaburagi, Shivamogga, and Tumakuru.
• Electronics Systems Design and Manufacturing (ESDM): Promoting Karnataka as a global hub for semiconductor and electronics manufacturing.
• Talent Accelerator: Bridging the skill gap through initiatives like Future Digital Jobs and the Karnataka Skill Connect Portal.
• IT/ITeS, BPM & GCC: Attracting Global Capability Centers (GCCs) and mid-sized IT firms to establish operations across the state.

‘Digital Heritage Portal’

In News –

• State to develop ‘Digital Heritage Portal’ to preserve cultural legacy.

‘Digital Heritage Portal’:

• Vision : Karnataka is to become a national leader in digital heritage preservation with a proposal to create a unified Karnataka Digital Heritage Portal .
• Role : it will integrate manuscripts, rare printed works, archival records and other cultural resources on a single platform.
• Launched by : The initiative, led jointly by the Oriental Research Institute (ORI), Mysuru, and the Karnataka State Archives.
• It aligns with the Union government’s Digital India Mission and the National Mission for Manuscripts.

CFTRI to develop foods for astronauts, athletes, and ageing population

News –

• The Mysuru-based Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) has now shifted its focus to developing advanced food technologies.
• These include foods for astronauts (space foods), endurance-enhancing foods for sportspersons (sports foods), and nutrition-rich foods for the elderly (geriatric foods).

Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI)

• It is a constituent laboratory of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi.
• It is located in Mysuru, Karnataka.
• The institute was established on October 21, 1950.
• Mandate – It is a leading center for research and development in food science and technology

APMC to build state-of-the-art fruit and vegetable market

In news –

• ‘Hygiene on Go’, a Mobile sanitation vehicle for police personnel launched in Bengaluru.

About the ‘Hygiene on Go’:

• Aim : In a bid to improve the working conditions of the Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) personnel.
• Launched by : Department of Home Affairs. It’s a first-of-its-kind mobile sanitation vehicle exclusively for the Bengaluru City Police.
• Coverage area : The vehicles will run from 8.30 a.m. to 7 p.m. along three major traffic-heavy routes – Thanisandra, Adugodi, and Mysuru Road, covering 91 designated halting points to ensure timely and reliable access for personnel on duty.
• Components : The vehicles will feature separate washrooms for male and female police officers. They will also have exterior CCTV coverage, GPS tracking, and an LED display carrying road safety messages.
• Benefits :  Mobile sanitation arrangement is very beneficial, especially for women, because washrooms are much more easily accessible for men than for women.

E-swathu 2.0

News –

• The state government launched e-swathu 2.0 to provide convenience to property owners in rural areas to get their documents.

E-swathu 2.0:

• • • Aim : to bring all rural properties into a single digital database, regularise unlisted holdings, and strengthen transparent property‑tax collection.
    • Purpose:‑Swathu 2.0 is Karnataka’s upgraded online system for digitising rural property records and issuing e‑Khata in Gram Panchayat areas.
    • Nodal agency – It is implemented by the Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department through Gram Panchayats and integrated with the Panchatantra software.
    • Property owners in Gram Panchayat limits can apply (via their Panchayat) for e‑Khata and Forms 9/11A/11B by submitting title documents, ID/address proof and supporting records.
    • Benefits : Expected outcomes include
    • Increase in Panchayat and state revenue from rural property tax.

Michael Cunha commission

• The Inquiry Commission, headed by former Karnataka High Court Judge Justice John, submitted its report on the circumstances leading to the death of COVID patients at the Chamarajanagar District Hospital to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah

Raj Bhavan renamed as ‘Lok Bhavan

News :

• The Governor’s official residence in Karnataka has been renamed as ‘Lok Bhavan’.
• The change is made in accordance with communication from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and has been approved by the Governor of Karnataka.

Additional Information-

• In July 2024, two important halls inside Rashtrapati Bhavan were renamed by President Droupadi Murmu:
• Durbar Hall → Ganatantra Mandap (to reflect the idea of “Republic” instead of the colonial term “Durbar”).​
• Ashok Hall → Ashok Mandap (to emphasise Indian cultural roots and the symbolism of Ashoka/Ashok tree)

BWSSB wins award for water management

• Award Name: Geospatial Excellence Award for Water Management
• Awardee: The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB)
• Issuing Authority: GeoSmart India
• Place of Event: Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi

Committee to oversee unified waste management system for Bengaluru

News :

• Govt to form high-level committee to implement end-to-end solid waste management system for city

About

• Purpose : to roll out a technology-driven solid waste management (SWM) framework for the city.
• Composition: The committee will be headed by the Additional Chief Secretary of the Urban Development Department, who will serve as President, while the GBA Chief Commissioner will act as Vice-President.

Friends of Police mission

News :

• Bengaluru Police has launched ‘Friends of Police’ mission.

About

• Aim : aimed at strengthening community policing and youth participation in crime prevention.
• Goal : Bengaluru police aiming to attract two lakh students as part of the team in policing to build a safer and more informed city.
• Coverage : Over 10,000 students took the pledge and enrolled to help the police and be their ‘eyes and ears’.
• “This is not only an awareness programme, but an initiative to strengthen police and public relationship,”

Karnataka Menstrual Leave Policy-2025

News –

• State govt. notifies menstrual leave policy with a day’s off a month

Karnataka Menstrual Leave Policy-2025

• Women in the state of Karnataka will be entitled to up to 12 menstrual leaves annually.
• This development marks a significant step in recognising menstrual health at a workplace and rights issue.
• The Dr. Sapna S committee was appointed by the Karnataka government to study and recommend menstrual leave policy
• Significance – It aims to create a more inclusive and stigma-free workplace and is considered a landmark decision in India, as it covers both government and private sectors comprehensively.

State govt. notifies menstrual leave policy with a day’s off a month

Key features –

• Women between 18 and 52 are eligible to seek menstrual leave, and it will be applicable for permanent, contract or outsourced workforce.
• The policy will be applicable to the workforce employed in establishments registered under the Factories Act, 1948; the Karnataka Shops and Establishments Act, 1961; the Plantation Workers Act 1951; the Beedi and Cigar Workers (Conditions of Employment) Act, 1966, and the Motor Transport Workers Act, 1961.
• The Government Order (GO) does not specify anything on leaves for government employees or anganwadi workers or Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs).
• As per the conditions imposed in the GO, there will be no provision to carry over the leave to the next month and women are not mandated to provide any medical certificate

Saalumarada Thimmakka

Why in news

• Padma Shri awardee and environmental icon Saalumarada Thimmakka, renowned for planting 385 banyan trees, passed away at the age of 114 in Bengaluru.

Biographical Details

• Full Name: Saalumarada Thimmakka (born as Thimmakka).
• Titles: She is widely known as “Vriksha Mathe” (Mother of Trees) and “Saalumarada Thimmakka”
• Birthplace: She was born in Gubbi Taluk, Tumakuru District, Karnataka.
• Environmental work: Her environmental work is centered around Hulikal Village, Magadi Taluk, Ramanagara District.
• Spouse: She was married to Bikkala Chikkayya, who was her partner in planting trees until his death in 1991.
• Lifespan: She passed away on November 14, 2025, at the approximate age of 114 years.

The Environmental Achievements

• Tree Species: She primarily planted Banyan trees (Scientific Name: Ficus benghalensis).
• Location: The trees were planted along a 4 to 4.5 km kilometer stretch of State Highway 94 (SH-94) between Hulikal and Kudur
• Number of Trees: She planted 385 banyan trees in this specific row.
• Total Contribution: It is estimated she planted over 8,000 trees in total during her lifetime.
• Methodology: She used thorny shrubs to fence the saplings and carried water pots for 4 kilometers

Major Awards & Recognitions

• Cabinet Rank (2022): The Karnataka Government appointed her as the “Environment Ambassador” with the status of a Cabinet Minister.
• Padma Shri (2019): She received India’s fourth-highest civilian award from President Ram Nath Kovind.
• BBC 100 Women (2016): She was listed as one of the most influential and inspiring women in the world by the BBC.
• Nadoja Award (2010): She received this prestigious honor from Kannada University, Hampi.
• National Citizen’s Award (1995): She was honored by the Government of India for her grassroots work.
• Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshamitra Award (1997): She received this national award specifically for contributions to afforestation.
• International Honor: An environmental organization in Los Angeles, USA, is named “Thimmakka’s Resources for Environmental Education”.

Government Initiatives & Legacy

• Saalumarada Thimmakka Tree Parks: The Karnataka State Government has established tree parks in every Assembly Constituency to increase green cover.
• Tree Preservation: In 2019, the Bagepalli-Halaguru road widening project was modified to save her heritage banyan trees.
• Memorial Fund (2025): Following her death, the Karnataka Government announced a ₹1 Crore Corpus Fund to institute an annual environment award in her name.
• 114 Saplings: To mark her age at passing, the government announced the planting of 114 saplings at distinct locations.

Megalithic excavations in Chamarajanagar district reveal rare burial practices, rock art

News –

• Recent excavations at Doddalathur in Chamarajanagar district have revealed new insights into early megalithic burial culture and traditions in southern Karnataka, including unusual layouts and rare engravings on boulders.
• Doddalathur, located in Hanur taluk and five kilometres southwest of Kowdalli, is one of the few surviving megalithic landscapes in the region where a large number of burials remain intact.
• the excavation – found 13 burials, comprising stone circles and cairn circles, constructed with natural boulders of varying diameters.
• Four contained cists, or stone-slab chambers, while the rest were urn burials.
• “In the megalithic burials, the usual burial repertoire includes pottery known as black-and-red ware, black ware and red ware, and iron objects. “These were also found in some of the burials that were excavated at Doddalathur,
• in addition to skeletal and animal remains and a few beads have also been found
• The most interesting discovery, according to researchers, is that of an iron object, which is circular in shape with two loops on either sides and resembles an iron shield.
• This was found in association with iron weapons like axe, arrow, and a two-pronged sword while the same burial has human figures engraved on the boulders. Underlining its importance,
• This is significant because rock art is rare in this part of Karnataka.
• Charcoal samples from both urn and cist contexts were dated through AMS Carbon-14 analysis, placing the burials between the 6th century BCE and the 4th century CE, a timeframe consistent with megalithic occupation phases elsewhere in peninsular India