Bengaluru: The Karnataka Cabinet approved Thursday a new law that prohibits and criminalises social boycott of persons, especially by self-appointed caste panchayats, with a jail term of up to three years and a fine of Rs 1 lakh.

The Karnataka Protection of People from Social Boycott (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Bill, piloted by Law, Justice & Human Rights Minister HK Patil, is likely to come up in the winter session of the legislature starting next week.

The Bill lists 19 forms of social boycott, which includes refusal to do business, denying opportunities, obstruction from participation in events or blocking access to facilities and cutting-off of ties.

“Generally, social boycotts are observed in cases of inter-caste marriages,” Patil’s department said in a note. Maharashtr

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