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The Karnataka Cabinet has approved a Bill requiring organisations to obtain government permission before holding activities on public property. The Bill, approved on Thursday, August 13, comes amid a prolonged dispute between the Congress government and the RSS over the latter's use of public spaces.
The Karnataka Regulation of Use of Government Premises and Public Property Bill, 2026, is expected to be introduced during the ongoing monsoon session of the legislature. The Bill has been drafted by the Home Department headed by Priyank Kharge.
The proposed legislation will replace an October 18, 2025 government order that required private organisations, associations and groups to obtain prior permission to use government premises or public property. The order applied to private associations, societies, trusts, clubs and other bodies, whether registered or not, but was stayed by the Karnataka High Court on grounds including violation of fundamental rights.
The earlier order had required organisations to seek permission at least three days before an event. The proposed Bill is expected to establish a statutory framework for granting permission to use government lands, buildings, playgrounds, parks, roads and other public assets, besides providing for penalties in cases of misuse or damage.
While the government has said the legislation will apply to all organisations, it comes against the backdrop of repeated disagreements between the Congress government and the RSS over the use of public property for its meetings and route marches.
Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said the Bill was not aimed at any particular organisation and that prior permission would be required for anyone seeking to hold an event on public property.
“We’re saying prior permission will be required for any programme, whoever it may be. In Bengaluru or anywhere else, permission is needed,” Shivakumar said.
He added that organisations could not use public spaces without following due process. “There needs to be proper documentation for events. Be it you or me, we cannot barge on to the streets according to our whims and fancies,” he said.
Home Minister Priyank Kharge also rejected suggestions that the Bill was specifically aimed at the RSS. In a statement after the Cabinet meeting, he said the legislation was intended to create a legal framework to safeguard government lands, buildings, playgrounds, parks, roads and other public assets and ensure their responsible use.
“Why is everyone thinking this is to curtail or curb any particular institution, association, organisation, society, club, union, syndicate or NGO? Beats me,” Kharge said.
The proposed law comes days after Kharge reiterated his demand that the RSS come under a formal legal framework. In June, he wrote to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat seeking details about the organisation’s legal status, sources of income and other aspects of its functioning.
The Congress government and the RSS have been at odds over the latter’s use of public spaces for events, including ‘baithaks’ and ‘sanchalanas’ or route marches. The proposed legislation, if enacted, would provide a statutory basis for requiring permission for such activities, rather than relying on the executive order that was stayed by the High Court.
The Bill will now be tabled before the state legislature for discussion and passage.
