BENGALURU: The Karnataka government plans to introduce a Bill in the ongoing Monsoon Session that mandates prior written permission for processions, meetings, assemblies, celebrations and other organised activities on government premises and public property, with repeat violations carrying up to five years in prison and a fine of ₹10 lakh, officials said on Friday.HT ImageThe Karnataka Regulation of Use of Government Premises and Public Property Bill, 2026, cleared by the state Cabinet on August 13, also brings route marches within the definition of processions. A procession would mean more than 10 people moving together with a common objective, including political, religious and social gatherings.The proposed law would cover government land, buildings, roads, parks, playgrounds, water bodies, community halls and other property controlled by the government, authorities or local bodies.As per the draft, organisers would have to seek permission at least seven days before an event, providing details including the proposed route, number of participants and vehicles, timings and five responsible persons. If authorities do not communicate their decision within seven days, permission would be deemed to have been granted.Applications could be rejected on grounds including public safety, law and order, communal harmony, traffic, public inconvenience, nuisance and protection of the intended use of the property. Authorities would have to give written reasons for rejecting an application.The legislation would also allow authorities to impose conditions on event timings, dispersal, noise levels, participant numbers and possession of potentially harmful articles, including weapons, guns, lathis and sticks. Permission could also be subject to restrictions on slogans likely to annoy or offend other religious, political, social, linguistic or cultural groups.Unauthorised use of government property would be treated as trespass. Authorities could inspect premises and, with police assistance, evict unauthorised occupants, as per the draft.A first offence could attract up to three years’ imprisonment and/or a fine of up to ₹5 lakh. Repeat offences could lead to up to five years in prison and a fine of up to ₹10 lakh, while continuing violations could attract an additional daily fine. Offences would be cognizable and non-bailable, with Sub Inspectors and senior police officers empowered to arrest without a warrant.The Bill has triggered a political dispute over whether it could be used against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. The Congress government last month made permission mandatory for RSS public marches in Karnataka, a move the organisation has challenged in the Karnataka High Court.Home minister Priyank Kharge rejected the BJP’s allegation that the proposed legislation was aimed at the RSS, pointing out that no organisation is named in the Bill. “It applies to me, to you and to the BJP as well. I do not understand what the problem is,” Kharge told reporters. Asked whether the legislation was related to the RSS, he said: “Where is it in the Bill? Why are people calling it an RSS Bill? This Bill is not against anyone.”Chief minister D K Shivakumar said the permission requirement would apply to government events as well. “Permission is required for everyone,” Shivakumar told reporters.He said there had been no discussion about any particular organisation and that permission was ordinarily required so police could make security arrangements for public programmes. “However, it is customary for anyone, whether a political party or an organisation, to inform the police and obtain permission before conducting a programme. This helps the police make the necessary security arrangements,” he said.Kharge said the Bill was intended to establish rules for responsible use of public assets. “Why is everyone thinking this is to curtail or curb any particular institution, association, organisation, society, club, union, syndicate or NGO? Beats me,” he said in a post on X.The BJP has attacked the proposal. R Ashoka, Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, challenged Kharge to ban the RSS directly. “Let him ban it. The RSS has seen many people like him. Nothing is going to happen just because someone shouts about it,” Ashoka told reporters.BJP state president B Y Vijayendra also accused Shivakumar of showing his “true colours” on the RSS, referring to the chief minister having sung the organisation’s anthem, “Namaste Sada Vatsale”, inside the Assembly.“Your mask has been removed. If you have the courage, let us see you try to ban the RSS. Priyank Kharge, if you have such an obsession, I request you to ask the chief minister to give you the anti-RSS department,” Vijayendra told reporters.Kharge had last year written to then chief minister Siddaramaiah seeking a ban on RSS activities in government schools, colleges and public spaces. He had alleged that RSS shakhas were being held in government and government aided schools and public grounds, where slogans were raised and what he described as negative ideas were being instilled among children and young people.