The Karnataka Cabinet has cleared a new bill requiring prior government approval for private functions, rallies and meetings on government premises, amid a political dispute over RSS activities.

Cabinet Clears New Bill

The Karnataka Cabinet on Thursday cleared the Karnataka Regulation of Use of Government Premises and Public Property Bill, 2026, proposing mandatory government permission for private functions, rallies and meetings held on government premises.

The bill is scheduled to be introduced during the ongoing Monsoon Session of the state legislature. If enacted, it will establish a statutory framework for regulating the use of public property by private individuals, organisations and groups.

RSS Activities Under Focus

The proposed legislation has drawn particular attention because of the long-running disagreement between the Congress government and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) over marches, meetings and other activities on public property.

The bill would cover public gatherings, including RSS meetings, commonly referred to as baithaks, and route marches or sanchalanas conducted on public land.

However, the state government has maintained that the proposed law will not target any particular organisation or political party.

Government Explains Its Stand

Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said the legislation was not being considered against any single party or organisation.

He stressed that events held on public property should follow a formal permission process and have proper documentation.

“Be it you or me, we cannot barge on to the streets according to our whims and fancies,” Shivakumar said, according to the report.

He also cited an example involving Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, saying the minister had obtained permission for an event called Freedom Habba.

Bill Replaces Earlier Order

The proposed legislation seeks to replace an earlier executive order used by the Karnataka government to regulate activities on government premises.

That order faced legal challenges after the Karnataka High Court intervened and directed authorities to consider requests for activities on government property on a case-by-case basis.

The new bill seeks to provide a legislative basis for the government’s approach rather than relying solely on executive directions.

What the Bill Covers

The proposed framework is aimed at regulating private functions, rallies, meetings and other public gatherings held on government-owned premises and public property.

The requirement for prior approval would mean organisers could not simply notify authorities before conducting an event. They would need to obtain permission under the process prescribed by the government.

The legislation is expected to establish clearer procedures for assessing requests and managing the use of public spaces.

Political Dispute Intensifies

The proposed law comes against the backdrop of repeated disagreements between the ruling Congress government and the RSS over the organisation’s use of public spaces.

The issue has also become a political point of contention between Congress and the BJP, with the latter closely associated with the RSS.

The government has sought to frame the proposal as a general regulation applicable to all organisations, while the timing and specific reference to RSS activities have fuelled debate over its wider political implications.

Bill Now Faces Legislative Test

The next major step will be the bill’s introduction and consideration in the Karnataka legislature during the Monsoon Session.

Its provisions, including the permission mechanism and the scope of government control over public property, are likely to attract scrutiny from legislators and affected organisations.

The proposed Karnataka public spaces bill could therefore become a significant issue in the state’s ongoing debate over public property, political gatherings and the rights of organisations to conduct activities in shared civic spaces.