New Delhi, May 26 -- The Centre has expressed reservations over Karnataka's proposed hate speech and hate crime prevention law, with the Union Home Ministry informing the state government that current criminal laws are already sufficient to deal with such offences.

The proposed legislation, which was introduced by the Karnataka government to tackle hate speech and communal offences, had earlier triggered major political controversy due to its stringent punishment clauses and alleged impact on freedom of expression.

Sources said the Ministry of Home Affairs, led by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, conveyed its views to the Karnataka government after the bill was referred for Presidential consideration.

The legislation had proposed jail te...