Published Aug 14, 2026 | 7:42 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 14, 2026 | 7:42 PM
The legislation follows Kharge’s year-long campaign seeking accountability from the RSS and demanding that it register.
Synopsis: The Karnataka Cabinet has cleared the Karnataka Regulation of Use of Government Premises and Public Property Bill, 2026, which proposes mandatory permission for using government premises and public property, with jail terms and fines for violations. BJP State President BY Vijayendra has alleged that it is aimed at regulating the RSS and challenged the Congress to ban the RSS if it had the “guts”. Home Minister Priyank Kharge maintained that the Bill was not aimed at any particular organisation and asked why BJP leaders were so concerned.
The Karnataka Cabinet on Thursday, 13 August, cleared the Karnataka Regulation of Use of Government Premises and Public Property Bill, 2026, which proposes imprisonment and fines for unauthorised use of government premises and public property.
The Bill, proposed by Home Minister Priyank Kharge, is expected to be introduced during the ongoing Assembly session. It requires private organisations, associations and other groups to obtain permission before using government property for their activities.
BJP State President BY Vijayendra alleged that the Bill was aimed at regulating the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He said the government should openly ban the organisation if it had the “guts”.
“If D.K. Shivakumar, the Chief Minister, as well as Priyank Kharge, have real guts, let them come out openly and let them ban the RSS. See, they should understand that by taking the back route, they cannot control the RSS,” he told IANS.
“The RSS has a history of 100 years of serving this country. Just for raising the issue of the non-registration of the RSS, they cannot curtail it by using government power.”
“ಸಾರ್ವಜನಿಕ ಸ್ಥಳಗಳ ಬಳಕೆಗೆ ಕಾನೂನು, ನಿಯಮಗಳನ್ನು ಪಾಲನೆ ಮಾಡಬೇಕು” ಎಂದರೆ ಬಿಜೆಪಿಯವರು ಇದು RSSಗೇ ಹೇಳಿರುವುದು ಎಂದು ಹೆಗಲು ಮುಟ್ಟಿ ನೋಡಿಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ..
ಕುಂಬಳಕಾಯಿ ಕದ್ದವರಿಗೆ ಮಾತ್ರ ಹೆಗಲು ಮುಟ್ಟಿ ನೋಡಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವಂತಹ ಆತಂಕವಿರುತ್ತದೆ!
ವಿರೋಧ ಪಕ್ಷದ ನಾಯಕರಾದ ಶ್ರೀ @RAshokaBJP ಅವರು “RSS ಎದುರು ಹಾಕಿಕೊಂಡರೆ ನೀವು…
— Priyank Kharge / ಪ್ರಿಯಾಂಕ್ ಖರ್ಗೆ (@PriyankKharge) August 14, 2026
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The legislation follows Kharge’s year-long campaign seeking accountability from the RSS and demanding that it register.
The Bill requires prior permission for processions or congregations of more than 10 people moving together through public property.
Unauthorised use of government premises or public property would be punishable with up to three years in prison and a fine of ₹5 lakh. A repeat offence would carry up to five years in prison and a fine of ₹10 lakh. The offences would be cognisable and non-bailable, allowing arrest without a warrant.
Applications for permission would have to be made at least seven days before the event. The law would cover private associations, societies, trusts, clubs and other bodies, whether registered or unregistered.
The Government could deny permission for a procession on grounds such as public order, safety, communal harmony, traffic movement and the need to protect the designated use of public property.
Processions for marriages and funerals would be exempt. So would certain unorganised gatherings passing through premises used for education, sports, leisure, amusement and recreation.
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Kharge rejected the charge that the Bill was aimed at the RSS.
“Have they seen the Bill? Is the word Bharatiya Janata Party in that? RSS. Is the word RSS there in the… Is there any institution, organization, party, or NGO’s name in that? How do they know?” he said, speaking to reporters outside the Assembly.
He maintained that the legislation was intended to regulate the use of public spaces, government playgrounds, land and roads, as per Supreme Court and High Court directives.
“It provides a legal framework to safeguard, preserve, and ensure the responsible utilization of Government lands, buildings, playgrounds, parks, roads, and other public assets, preventing misuse while protecting them for public benefit and good. Why is everyone thinking this is to curtail or curb any particular institution, association, organization, society, club, union, syndicate or NGO? Beats me,” he wrote in a post on X.
In a separate post, he asked why BJP leaders in particular were so concerned.
“When we say that the use of public places must comply with laws and rules, the BJP people are looking over their shoulders, thinking that this is being said specifically to the RSS. Only those who have stolen the pumpkin have the anxiety that makes them look over their shoulders!” he wrote.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
