Bengaluru, Aug. 15 -- The Karnataka government plans to introduce a bill in the ongoing monsoon session that makes prior written permission mandatory for processions, meetings, assemblies, celebrations and other organised activities on government premises and public property, said people aware of the matter. The Karnataka Regulation of Use of Government Premises and Public Property Bill, 2026, which was cleared by the state Cabinet on August 13, has triggered a political slugfest with the Opposition BJP alleging that this was aimed to target the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Karnataka home minister Priyank Kharge, however, clarified that nowhere is the name of any organisation mentioned. The bill would cover government land, buildings, roads, parks, playgrounds, water bodies, community halls and other property controlled by the government, authorities or local bodies. It would also bring route marches under the definition of processions. A procession would mean more than 10 people moving together with a common objective, including political, religious and social gatherings. As per the draft, applications could be rejected on grounds including public safety, law and order, communal harmony, traffic, public inconvenience and nuisance. Authorities would have to give written reasons for rejection, mentions the draft. Repeat violations could attract up to five years in prison and a fine of up to Rs.10 lakh. The ruling Congress and the BJP locked horns over the bill. Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka assembly R Ashoka challenged Kharge to ban the RSS directly. "Let him ban it. The RSS has seen many people like him. Nothing is going to happen just because someone shouts about it," Ashoka told reporters. In a post on X, Kharge posted: "It applies to me, to you and to the BJP as well. Why is everyone thinking this Bill is to curtail or curb any particular institution, association, organisation, society, club, union, syndicate or NGO?"...