The Karnataka Social Boycott (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Bill, 2025, aimed at preventing the “evil practices of imposition of social boycott, social discrimination and social disabilities at various levels by caste or community panchayaths or by its members”, was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday.
The Bill lists out 20 different forms of social boycott and has proposed three-year imprisonment for offenders under the Act, which could include a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh.
“It has been observed that the unconstitutional practices such as boycotts, imposition of various punishments by extra judicial bodies such as caste or community panchayats etc, are still in practice in various communities in the state, resulting in great harassment to individuals or groups in leading their lives with dignity,” the Bill, piloted by Social Welfare Minister Dr H C Mahadevappa, said.
Such boycotts hurt the social life of the community, while giving rise to ill feelings and disharmony in society, the Bill stated, noting that the existing laws were found inadequate in dealing with such practices.
‘Social boycott’ includes denial of opportunities, including refusal to “deal with, work or hire or do business with other person”, denial of opportunity in accessing services or contractual opportunities, refusal to “do anything on the terms on which things would be commonly done in the ordinary course of business”, preventing any member of a community from observing any social or religious custom, performing marriage, funeral and “commits or causes to commit social ostracism on any grounds”, among others.
Any person who uses his influence to enforce a social boycott and every member of a body who has voted in favour of a social boycott will be deemed to have committed the offence as per the provisions of the Bill.
Victims of social boycott can file a complaint either with the police or directly with a judicial first-class magistrate, who is empowered to aid those affected by the boycott, the Bill says. A social boycott prohibition officer will have to detect the offences committed under the provisions of this Bill, and will also assist the magistrate while he tries the offences.