All organisations must follow the law of the land: Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar - The HinduPublished - August 16, 2026 07:02 pm IST - MYSURUD.K. Shivakumar | Photo Credit: File photoAmid the brewing confrontation between the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP over a proposed legislation to regulate the use of government land by organisations for their activities, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Sunday (August 16) said all organisations should follow the law of the land while holding programmes. Responding to queries from reporters in Kodagu regarding BJP functionary B.L. Santhosh’s reported remarks that the RSS does not need registration to establish its existence, Mr. Shivakumar denied that there was any politics behind the issue and said there was no reason for anyone to be alarmed over the proposed law.The Karnataka Regulation of Use of Government Premises and Public Property Bill, 2026, drafted by the Home Department headed by Priyank Kharge, is widely seen as targeting the RSS. “Any organisation, whichever it may be, must follow the law. If the Government receives an application seeking permission, necessary permission will be granted as per the rules, and arrangements for security personnel will be made,” he said.He also cited the example of Minister Krishna Byre Gowda obtaining government permission to hold the Freedom Festival recently. “Whether it is the JD(S), BJP, Congress or any other organisation, all of us have the opportunity to hold programmes within the framework of the law,” he said.He also said that he, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and former Home Minister G. Parameshwara had dissuaded Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge from taking out a march to submit a petition to the Election Commission during the recent ‘Vote Chori’ agitation in Bengaluru.“We appealed to them to follow the law of the land and not misuse our authority, even though our party was in power. It is our responsibility to respect the law and the directions of the court,” he said.When his attention was drawn to Mr. Santhosh’s reported statement that the freedom struggle was not achieved through the Salt Satyagraha and the charkha alone, Mr. Shivakumar said Mr. Santhosh was a senior leader. “Let us also seek his guidance,” he said.However, apparently referring to the proposed Bill, Mr. Shivakumar said the government had only brought greater clarity to provisions that already existed in the law. “There is no need for anyone to be alarmed,” he said.Meanwhile, continuing its criticism of the government over the proposed Bill, the BJP alleged that the Congress was trying to cover up its own failures through indirect attempts to target the RSS. Speaking to reporters in Shivamogga, BJP State president B.Y. Vijayendra termed the move immature.Published - August 16, 2026 07:02 pm ISTSign in to unlock member-only benefits!Access 10 free stories every monthSave stories to read laterAccess to comment on every storySign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single clickGet notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products${ ind + 1 } ${ device }Last active - ${ la }