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However, Karnataka minister Santosh Lad dismissed allegations that the legislation specifically targets the RSS
If enacted, the legislation would empower the state government to regulate or deny permission to organisations seeking to hold marches, route marches or other activities on government-owned properties. File pic
In a move that is set to intensify the political battle between the Congress government and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the Karnataka Cabinet on Thursday cleared a bill to regulate the use of government-owned public spaces, making prior permission mandatory for gatherings and activities organised on state-maintained properties.
The proposed legislation, which is expected to be tabled during the ongoing Monsoon Session of the Karnataka Legislature, seeks to regulate the use of public properties maintained by the state government, including schools, colleges, playgrounds, parks, roads and waterbodies. The bill mandates prior government approval for any gathering on such properties and is aimed at replacing the controversial Home Department standing order issued on October 18, 2025.
The earlier standing order had made prior permission compulsory for gatherings of more than 10 persons on government properties. However, the Karnataka High Court stayed the order after it was challenged. The state government has now decided to withdraw the standing order and instead enact a comprehensive law governing the use of public spaces.
If enacted, the legislation would empower the state government to regulate or deny permission to organisations seeking to hold marches, route marches or other activities on government-owned properties. The move is expected to directly impact RSS programmes that are traditionally held in public grounds and educational institution premises.
Speaking after the Cabinet meeting, Karnataka minister Santosh Lad dismissed allegations that the legislation specifically targets the RSS.
“There needs to be regulation on how government properties are used. Why are they saying RSS? Any organisation that wants to use government properties has to follow certain rules,” Lad said.
The proposed law has, however, drawn sharp criticism from legal experts and the opposition BJP.
Advocate Girish, who is expected to challenge the legislation, termed it unconstitutional.
“This goes against Article 19 of the Constitution. The earlier standing order was quashed by the High Court. This bill is not even worth the paper it has been printed on. We will challenge it in court. All that the Home Minister does every day is talk about RSS,” he said.
The BJP alleged that the Congress government was using the legislation to politically target the RSS and the saffron party.
BJP spokesperson GS Prashanth said the move was an attempt by the DK Shivakumar government to divert attention from its governance failures.
“Home Minister Priyank Kharge wants to target the RSS to divert attention from the Congress government’s misadministration. According to Supreme Court rulings, it is not mandatory for an association of people to be registered. It is clear that the Congress government wants to target the BJP and the RSS to hide its failures,” he alleged.
The legislation is expected to trigger a fresh political and legal battle, with the BJP and RSS preparing to oppose the bill both inside the assembly and, if required, before the courts.
Key Questions Answered
Ask News18The bill will impact other organisations using public spaces by requiring prior government approval for any gatherings or activities held on state-maintained properties, including schools, colleges, playgrounds, parks, roads, and waterbodies.
Ask News18About the Author
Harish Upadhya, an Assistant Editor at CNN-News18, reports from Bengaluru. Political reporting is his forte. He also tracks India’s space journey, and is passionate about environmental reporting and R…Read More
August 14, 2026, 12:52 AM IST
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