Karnataka Bars Rallies of Over 10 People on Public Property Without Permission

On October 18, 2025, the Karnataka government issued a Government Order (GO) mandating prior permission from police commissioners in cities or deputy commissioners in districts for any group exceeding 10 individuals to hold rallies, marches, or gatherings on public property, including roads, parks, and playgrounds, sparking accusations of curbing dissent, while Chief Minister Siddaramaiah denied targeting specific groups like the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The directive, approved in a cabinet meeting on October 16, aims to regulate the use of government-owned assets—defined as any land, building, road, park, or waterbody under state or local authority control—by private entities, including unregistered groups, societies, or trusts.

Exceptions are granted for marriage and funeral processions, but all other gatherings, whether accompanied by music or pursuing a common objective, require applications submitted three days in advance, with organisers liable for any damage to public or private property and subject to criminal penalties under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 for violations.

The order, effective immediately, responds to recent unrest, including protests by contractors and opposition BJP rallies alleging a "Jungle Raj" under Congress rule, but critics view it as a preemptive clampdown on RSS activities ahead of local elections, given the organisation's history of mobilising large-scale marches in Karnataka, with over 5,000 shakhas statewide, per RSS estimates. Siddaramaiah, addressing media on October 18, insisted the GO is a "general measure to ensure public order" and not aimed at any single entity, citing the need to prevent disruptions like the traffic chaos during a September 2025 Bengaluru protest that delayed commuters for three hours, per city police logs. Violators risk prosecution for unlawful assembly under BNS Section 223, carrying up to two years’ imprisonment, while the GO promises forthcoming guidelines to balance citizens’ rights with administrative oversight amid concerns over arbitrary denials of permits.

The move has ignited debate, with BJP leaders like R. Ashoka slamming it as an assault on free expression, especially resonant during Diwali on October 20, a time of community gatherings. Social media on X buzzed with #KarnatakaCensorship trending, amassing 30,000 posts, including memes accusing Congress of "gagging festive spirit". The Karnataka High Court in 2024 struck down similar restrictions for lacking clarity, raising questions about the GO’s legal longevity—petitions are already filed by civil liberties groups like PUCL, citing Article 19 violations.

Supporters, including Congress MLA Rizwan Arshad, argue it ensures accountability, pointing to Rs 50 crore in property damages from 2024 protests, per BBMP data. With Karnataka’s 28 million urban population navigating congested cities, the order tests the balance between public safety and democratic freedoms, potentially setting a precedent for other states as India’s festive season peaks and political temperatures rise.

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