Bengaluru: The Congress-led Karnataka government on Thursday approved a proposal to frame new rules regulating activities of private organisations, including the RSS, in public places, government institutions, and roads. The decision comes days after IT and Biotechnology Minister Priyank Kharge wrote to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah seeking a ban on RSS activities and those of its affiliated groups.
Addressing reporters after the cabinet meeting, Kharge said,
“We cannot control any organisation, but from now on you cannot do whatever you want in public places or roads. Whatever you have to do, it has to be done after seeking the government’s permission.”
He added that the government will set clear parameters for granting permission, stating that groups “cannot walk on the road waving sticks or take out Patha Sanchalana (march) just by giving intimation to the authorities.”
According to Kharge, the proposed rules will cover public spaces, government schools, colleges, premises of government and aided institutions, and other state-owned properties.
“We will consolidate previous orders issued by the Home, Law, and Education departments to frame a new rule. In the next two to three days, the new rule will come into force within the framework of law and the Constitution,” he said.
Cabinet’s Decision and Context
Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil confirmed that the cabinet discussed the issue of private organisations conducting events in public spaces without proper permission.
“The cabinet has directed the Home Department to issue a Government Order regulating the use of public properties, including educational institutions. The aim is to prevent trespassing and unauthorised use of government school and college premises,” Patil stated.
He clarified that programmes can only be held after securing official approval, and that the upcoming Government Order (GO) will outline the rules and procedures for obtaining permission.
Patil said the decision followed several complaints and reports in the media regarding the unauthorised use of public and government properties for ideological gatherings.
“The government has not targeted any particular organisation. These rules will apply to anyone violating the norms,” he added.
Congress Counters BJP Criticism with 2013 Circular
To counter the BJP’s criticism of the move, the Siddaramaiah government also released a 2013 circular issued by the then BJP government under Jagadish Shettar, which had restricted the use of school premises and playgrounds for educational purposes only.
The circular, issued by the then Commissioner for Public Instruction S.R. Umashankar, stated that school premises “must be used only for activities concerning the syllabus, extra-curricular programmes, sports, and physical education,” and that permission should not be granted for non-educational events.
Sharing the circular on social media, Kharge wrote:
“Is the BJP unaware of its own government’s decision? Or doesn’t this apply to the RSS?”
He alleged that despite the 2013 circular, the RSS has been using school grounds to conduct shakhas, saying,
“The organisation named RSS is shamelessly treating schools as the property of Hedgewar’s family to conduct its activities.”
Background
Earlier this month, Kharge, who is the son of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, wrote to CM Siddaramaiah urging him to ban RSS activities in government institutions and public spaces, alleging that the organisation’s shakhas were spreading “negative ideas” among children and youth.
“The RSS has been conducting its shakhas in government and aided schools and on public grounds, where slogans are shouted and divisive ideas are instilled,” Kharge wrote in his letter dated October 4.
The move has sparked a major political row, with the BJP accusing the Congress of targeting nationalist organisations and the Congress defending its decision as an attempt to uphold the rule of law and protect the secular character of public institutions.
Karnataka Govt To Regulate RSS Activities In Public Places; New Rules Soon After Cabinet Nod
