Bengaluru, 2 Feb

State Home Minister G Parameshwara on Monday launched a twin attack on the Centre and Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, alleging political intent behind both the referral of the Hate Speech and Hate Crime (Prevention) Bill to the President and what he called a “thoroughly disappointing” Union Budget.

Parameshwara said the Governor had questioned 28 points in the bill, passed by both Houses during the winter session in Belagavi, and referred it to President Droupadi Murmu “to dump it in cold storage”. “In my opinion, the Governor has intentionally referred it so that it does not come into effect,” he alleged, adding that the government would re-examine the legislation if it is returned with observations.

Defending the bill, the minister said it was introduced consciously to address rising instances of hate speech. “We have freedom of speech, but that does not mean one can say anything. We have to see how it impacts society,” he said, accusing the BJP of opposing measures aimed at maintaining social harmony.

Turning to the Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Parameshwara termed it the weakest among her nine budgets and said it had failed to meet public expectations. He alleged that key sectors such as agriculture, industry, education and infrastructure had been ignored, and claimed the State had received “not even a single scheme worth mentioning”.

Out of a total outlay of Rs 53.50 lakh crore, he said, the Centre planned to borrow Rs 16 lakh crore. “After taking such massive loans, what have you given to the people?” he asked.

Separately, he said a team had been formed to probe the suicide of realtor CJ Roy in Bengaluru on 30 January to prevent speculation.