Karnataka Cabinet Clears Public Property Bill to Regulate Public Spaces Amid Escalating RSS-Congress Row

Bengaluru: The Karnataka Cabinet has approved the Karnataka Regulation of Use of Government Premises and Public Property Bill, 2026, proposing a legal framework to regulate how private individuals, organisations, associations and societies use government premises and public spaces.

The Bill, approved by the Cabinet on Thursday, is expected to be introduced in the Karnataka Legislature for discussion and passage. It seeks to regulate the use of government lands, buildings, schools, colleges, playgrounds, parks, roads and other public assets for events, meetings, processions and other activities.

Under the proposed legislation, organisations and groups would have to obtain prior permission from designated authorities before using government property or public spaces. The Bill also proposes guidelines and procedures for granting such permissions, along with provisions for penalties in cases involving misuse or damage to public property.

RSS Row

The legislation comes amid an ongoing political confrontation between the Karnataka government and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) over the organisation's use of public spaces and government premises.

The controversy dates back to October 2025, when the Karnataka government issued an order requiring organisations to obtain prior permission from police and revenue authorities before using public spaces. The order came around the time permission was denied to the RSS for a route march in Chittapur, represented by Home Minister Priyank Kharge.

Kharge has previously questioned the RSS's registration, funding and tax compliance and sought restrictions on its activities in government institutions and public spaces. The latest Bill is therefore expected to intensify the political confrontation between the Congress government and the RSS.

However, Kharge has rejected suggestions that the proposed legislation specifically targets the RSS. He said the Bill is intended to establish accountability and prevent unauthorised use of public assets, insisting that the government has no particular institution, organisation, club, union or NGO in mind.

What The Bill Proposes

The proposed legislation seeks to create uniform rules governing the use of public property by private entities. It would cover government buildings and land as well as roads, parks, playgrounds and other public assets under government or local authority control.

The government has maintained that the objective is to safeguard public property, prevent misuse and ensure that public assets remain available for public benefit.

The Bill will now have to go through the legislative process before it can become law.

With the RSS row already generating political friction in Karnataka, the proposed legislation is likely to become another flashpoint between the ruling Congress and the BJP, particularly over the extent to which organisations can conduct activities on government-owned and public premises.

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