In a move aimed at combating entrenched forms of social exclusion, Karnataka is preparing to introduce legislation that would make social boycott a criminal offence, carrying strict penalties for offenders. The draft legislation, titled the Karnataka Protection of People from Social Boycott Bill 2025, is expected to be tabled during the upcoming winter session of the state legislature, officials said, marking a significant step in addressing discriminatory practices that have persisted in parts of the state despite constitutional protections.

Officials involved in drafting the legislation emphasised that the bill seeks to tackle practices that ostracise individuals or groups from public life, often based on caste, religion, language, or other social markers. “A prison term that could extend to three years and a fine of ₹1 lakh is being proposed,” said a senior officer familiar with the development. “The law would extend beyond the person issuing the boycott: anyone who encourages, participates in, or votes in a gathering convened to impose such exclusion would also be held criminally responsible. Even the act of convening a meeting for this purpose would itself constitute a criminal offence.”

Broad Definition to Cover Multiple Forms of Exclusion

The draft bill adopts a wide-ranging definition of social boycott, encompassing acts that restrict access to essential public and private services. This includes barring individuals from hospitals, schools, religious spaces, community halls, and other public venues. Social exclusion at personal and community events, such as weddings, funerals, and festivals, would also fall within the bill’s ambit. Economic boycotts, such as interfering with someone’s business, employment, or access to essential commodities, would be explicitly recognised as punishable. Additionally, discrimination based on attire, language, culture, gender, or other markers of identity would constitute an offence under the proposed law.

H K Patil, Karnataka’s Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, framed the legislation as a constitutional necessity. “Our Constitution guarantees every individual dignity and equal treatment. Social boycotts strike at the very core of these rights,” he said. Patil added that despite existing legal safeguards, social exclusion continues to affect lives in many parts of Karnataka, causing significant harm to victims and their families. “Current laws are not sufficient to address the reality on the ground, which is why this legislation is being drafted — to put an end to the practice once and for all,” he noted.

Enforcement Mechanisms and Victim Relief

Under the proposed framework, victims of social boycott would have multiple avenues for seeking justice. Complaints could be filed directly with local police stations, or victims could approach a First Class Judicial Magistrate for immediate redress. Courts would be empowered to impose fines on offenders, with a portion of the collected penalty potentially awarded as compensation to the complainant. Officials stressed that the law is designed not only to punish those who initiate or participate in social exclusion but also to provide timely relief to victims.

Persistent Cases of Social Exclusion Highlight Need for the Law

The urgency of the proposed legislation is underscored by numerous documented cases of social boycott in Karnataka. In May 2017, Dalit residents of Kottihalli in Tumakuru district reported being ostracised from village life after entering a temple during a fair, with the boycott disrupting daily social and economic interactions. A few months later, in September 2017, nearly 100 Dalit families in Matyali village, Bijapur district, faced similar exclusion after requesting that a new village circle be named after B R Ambedkar. Residents were denied access to water, electricity, groceries, and farm work, illustrating the deeply disruptive impact of such practices.

More recent incidents highlight the persistence of these exclusionary practices. In March 2024, residents of Malligere in Tumkur accused local authorities of halting water supply to a Dalit colony while continuing services to other areas. In August 2024, about 50 Dalit families in Bapparaga village, Yadgir district, were reportedly ostracised a day after filing a police complaint in a sensitive matter, with local leaders instructing residents to sever all social and commercial interactions with the affected families.

Karnataka Follows Maharashtra’s Example

If enacted, Karnataka would become the second state after Maharashtra, which passed similar legislation in 2016, to explicitly criminalise social boycott. Officials say the move is part of a broader effort to confront discriminatory practices that continue to restrict mobility, economic opportunity, and social participation for marginalized communities. The proposed law aims to affirm the constitutional promise of equality and dignity for all citizens, addressing practices that undermine the fundamental rights enshrined in India’s Constitution.

Patil noted that beyond the punitive measures, the legislation is also intended to foster a culture of inclusion and social responsibility. “This law sends a clear message that exclusion and ostracism are unacceptable in a democratic society. It is not just about punishment; it is about ensuring that communities recognize the inherent dignity of every individual and act accordingly,” he said.

As the Karnataka government prepares to present the bill to legislators, civil society organizations, legal experts, and social activists are expected to weigh in on its provisions, enforcement mechanisms, and potential impact on communal harmony. Advocates for marginalized groups have lauded the move as a necessary intervention to curb practices that have historically silenced vulnerable voices and limited access to essential services and social participation.

The Karnataka Protection of People from Social Boycott Bill 2025 is being closely watched not just within the state but nationally, as India grapples with the challenge of ensuring equality and social justice for all communities. Its successful passage could provide a robust legal framework for addressing one of the most insidious forms of social discrimination still prevalent in rural and semi-urban areas across the country.