Have they read the Bill: Priyank Kharge hits back at BJP over RSS charge

Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge rejected BJP allegations that the proposed public property regulation Bill targets the RSS, saying the legislation does not mention the organisation. BJP leaders maintained the Bill was aimed at restricting RSS activities and vowed to oppose it

Bengaluru: Responding to allegations from the Opposition BJP over the Karnataka Regulation of Use of Government Premises and Public Property Bill, 2026, Home Minister Priyank Kharge questioned whether the proposed legislation even mentions the RSS.

Home Minister Priyank Kharge’s retort came amid allegations that the state government was seeking to target the RSS’ public activities. “Have they read the Bill? If they have read it, they should convey what their objections are. Let the Bill be introduced and let there be a debate,” Kharge told reporters in Bengaluru on Friday. The proposed legislation has triggered a political controversy, with the BJP alleging that the government intends to use the law to restrict the activities of the RSS and other organisations.

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It can be noted that the Karnataka government has proposed stringent penalties for unauthorised use of government premises and public property. Under the proposed law, a first offence could attract up to three years’ imprisonment and/or a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh. A second or subsequent offence could attract up to five years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh.

The Bill seeks to regulate the use of government lands, buildings, roads, parks, playgrounds, water bodies and other public property by private individuals, organisations, associations and societies. It states that unauthorised use would amount to trespass and could also attract an additional fine of up to Rs 5,000 per day if the violation continues after conviction.

Kharge rejected the BJP’s allegations that the Bill was aimed at the RSS and said the proposed legislation had no connection with any particular organisation. “This Bill and your unregistered and unregulated organisation have no connection,” Kharge said, while responding to questions on allegations of targeting the RSS.

Referring to allegations against him, Kharge said he had received a life threat and questioned why BJP leaders were targeting him. “Let the media decide whether I am targeting them or I have become a target for them,” he said.

Minister for Labour, Employment & Training Santhosh Lad also rejected the allegations, questioning why the media was portraying the Bill as legislation aimed at the RSS. “Why is the media claiming that this is a Bill to target the RSS? There is no mention of the RSS in the proposed Bill. We are bringing a Bill imposing certain criteria and conditions for the use of public property. I repeatedly say that bringing the RSS narrative into this is wrong,” Lad said.

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had maintained that any organisation or group conducting activities on government premises or public property would be required to obtain permission. “All those who conduct activities should get permission. There is no party or organisation,” Shivakumar said.

However, the BJP continued its attack on the government. Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly R. Ashoka alleged that Kharge had brought the legislation to satisfy his “ego.” “The RSS has seen many persons like him. If he wants to rake up the matter, nothing will move. The government has just one-and-a-half years left in its term. Instead of doing good work, they are engaged in such matters,” Ashoka alleged.

Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy alleged that the Bill had been brought to control the RSS. “No organisation is special. Justice is equal for all and everything has been done accordingly. But indulging in propaganda against an organisation and planning to take credit by claiming that they have regulated it is wrong,” he alleged.

Former Home Minister and BJP MLA Araga Jnanendra alleged the government was bringing the legislation because of its prejudice against the RSS and warned that the BJP would oppose the Bill.
BJP MLA V. Sunil Kumar also attacked Kharge, alleging that the Home Minister had a “phobia” about the RSS. “Naturally, Home Minister Priyank Kharge has a phobia towards the RSS. Without mentioning the RSS, he thinks he becomes irrelevant,” Sunil Kumar said.