The Karnataka government’s decision to introduce the ‘Karnataka State Public Places and Access Regulation Bill, 2026’ has sparked a fresh political debate, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleging that the proposed legislation could be used to restrict activities of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in public spaces.The government’s position is expected to be clarified when the Bill is formally introduced in the legislature. Its final provisions will determine whether the regulations apply equally to political, social, cultural, religious and other organisations conducting programmes in public places.The proposed legislation is therefore likely to become a major political issue during the current session, with the Congress government and BJP expected to debate its scope, implementation and possible impact on organisations conducting activities in public spaces.