After RSS march row, Karnataka clears Bill to regulate public space use

On Thursday, the Karnataka Cabinet approved a bill aimed at regulating the use of public premises for private events, replacing a government order from 2025. The Karnataka Regulation of Use of Government Premises and Public Property Bill, 2026, supersedes the earlier order which mandated organizations to seek prior permission from police and revenue authorities at least three days before utilizing public spaces for events.

This change followed the rejection of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) request to hold a route march in the Chittapur constituency on October 19, 2025, due to the organization's failure to meet the specified requirements.

The government order, issued shortly after Home Minister Priyank Kharge, who represents the Chittapur Assembly constituency, wrote to then Chief Minister Siddaramaiah requesting restrictions on RSS activities in the state, aimed to quell political controversy. The order, proposed by Kharge in the Cabinet meeting, is anticipated to fuel the ongoing conflict between the RSS and the minister, a vocal critic of the organization who has demanded clarification on the group's funding sources.

The Chittapur tahsildar denied the RSS permission, stating that they had neither sought prior approval nor provided information regarding the estimated number of participants. The tahsildar emphasized that the application for the march would be reviewed once the requested details were submitted. On the specified date, both the RSS and Bhim Army announced their respective marches in North Karnataka town.

The government order outlined that any event held without adherence to the stipulations would be deemed unlawful, and the local police would initiate a suo motu investigation.

Kharge has recently hinted at the possibility of enacting legislation to ensure proper registration of the RSS and its affiliated groups under the law.