The Karnataka Cabinet on August 13 approved a bill to regulate the use of government premises and public property for private events, replacing a government order issued in 2025.
The Karnataka Regulation of Use of Government Premises and Public Property Bill, 2026, seeks to govern the use of public spaces by private individuals, organisations, associations and societies.
The existing government order requires organisations seeking to hold programmes or processions on public property to obtain prior permission from the police and revenue authorities at least three days before the event.
The order had triggered political controversy after permission was denied to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to hold a route march in Chittapur in October 2025. Chittapur is represented by Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge, who has been a vocal critic of the RSS.
The government order was issued shortly after Kharge wrote to then Chief Minister Siddaramaiah seeking restrictions on RSS activities in Karnataka. Kharge also proposed the new Bill in the August 13 Cabinet meeting.
The 2025 order defined government property broadly to include land, buildings, structures, roads, parks, playgrounds, waterbodies and other immovable property owned or managed by government departments, local authorities, boards and corporations.
Under the order, organisers were required to provide details of their organisation, the expected number of participants and other information sought by authorities. In the Chittapur case, the tahsildar had cited the RSS’s failure to provide details about the number of participants, registration documents and the use of lathis and other weapons while denying permission for its proposed march.
The order also stated that applications should be disposed of at least a day before the proposed programme or procession after giving the applicant a reasonable opportunity to be heard.
It further said that programmes or processions held in violation of the guidelines would be considered unlawful under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), with the local police authorised to register a suo motu case.
In October, the RSS had subsequently approached the Karnataka High Court over the denial of permission for its Chittapur route march. The controversy over the government order has since remained politically contentious.
Kharge has also recently said the Karnataka government was considering legislation to ensure that the RSS and its affiliated organisations are registered as required under law.
The Bill will now have to be introduced in the Karnataka legislature and passed by both Houses before it can become law.