Public-spaces Bill misses Karnataka legislature’s monsoon session

The Karnataka Regulation of Use of Government Premises and Public Property Bill, 2026, did not reach the legislature before the monsoon session was adjourned sine die on Monday evening.

The proposed law is intended to regulate activities by private organisations and individuals in public spaces, including government premises and public property. The Cabinet had cleared the Bill after the Karnataka High Court struck down an earlier government order dealing with the issue.

After the Cabinet discussion, the draft went to the Law Department for revisions following several suggestions from Ministers. A revised version was expected to be ready by Tuesday, but the session had already ended.

Several Ministers and Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had said the Bill was not aimed at any individual or organisation. Politically, however, it was viewed as an attempt to curb RSS activities on government premises.

The revised draft is now pending before it can return to the legislature.