Karnataka RSS Bill won't survive court, says ex-CM Bommai in Haveri
Synopsis
Former Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai has thrown down a legal gauntlet against the state's proposed bill to regulate RSS activities, calling it unconstitutional and predicting it will be struck down in court — just as similar laws were in the past. His remarks, made in Haveri on 14 August, also wrapped in sharp attacks on the Congress over the ₹89 crore Valmiki scam, a controversial cabinet re-induction, and alleged security lapses in the state.
Key Takeaways
Basavaraj Bommai on 14 August 2026 in Haveri declared the proposed Karnataka Regulation of Use of Government Premises and Public Property Bill, 2026 unconstitutional.
He argued the bill targeting RSS activities violates fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution and will not survive judicial review.
Bommai cited the Assembly admission by Siddaramaiah of a ₹89 crore irregularity in the Valmiki Development Corporation and the ED charge sheet as evidence of Congress misgovernance.
He condemned the re-induction of charge-sheeted B.
Nagendra into the Cabinet, calling it a disregard for constitutional morality.
Bommai warned of active sleeper cells in Karnataka, alleging political pressure is preventing police from acting and forcing NIA intervention.
He strongly condemned the 'purification' ritual at Ramlila Maidan, Uttarakhand after AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge spoke there, calling it an inexcusable insult.
Former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday, 14 August 2026, declared that the state government's proposed Karnataka Regulation of Use of Government Premises and Public Property Bill, 2026 — widely seen as an attempt to curtail Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activities — would not withstand judicial scrutiny. Speaking to reporters in Haveri, Bommai argued that the Constitution drafted by B.R. Ambedkar guarantees every citizen civil, personal, and fundamental rights that no state legislation can override.
Bommai's Constitutional Argument
'Everyone must function within the framework of the law without violating these rights,' Bommai said. He contended that India's tradition of cultural celebrations and festivals serves to unite citizens, and that any legislation disrupting those practices runs counter to the Constitution. 'Similar attempts in the past were defeated in courts, and any new attempt will meet the same fate,' he asserted, signalling that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) intends to mount a legal challenge if the bill is tabled.
Tribal Welfare Scam and Cabinet Re-Induction Row
Turning to the Valmiki Development Corporation irregularity, Bommai pointed out that former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah himself acknowledged in the Assembly that a financial irregularity of ₹89 crore had occurred. He added that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a charge sheet detailing the origin and movement of those funds. Bommai sharply criticised the Congress government's decision to re-induct B. Nagendra — who faces an active charge sheet — into the Cabinet. 'This demonstrates the Congress party's disregard for the Constitution and morality. This is the height of arrogance, and the BJP strongly condemns it,' he said.
Davanagere Bypoll and Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan
On the upcoming Davanagere bypoll, Bommai claimed that Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan has lost standing within the Congress party and government. He noted that Khan's reported refusal to accept the role of district in-charge minister signals deeper fissures within the ruling alliance. 'It is evident he is being sidelined at every step. We will have to wait and see his next move,' Bommai observed.
Purification Ritual Row and Security Concerns
Bommai strongly condemned an incident in which miscreants allegedly performed a 'purification' ritual at Ramlila Maidan in Uttarakhand following a speech by All India Congress Committee (AICC) President Mallikarjun Kharge. 'Performing a purification ritual at a site after a senior leader has spoken is an inexcusable offence. It is an insult to him, and we do not support such actions,' he said. On security, Bommai referenced recent arrests of suspects in Davanagere and Kalaburagi, warning that intelligence inputs point to reactivated sleeper cells and fresh recruitment drives. He alleged that state police are hesitating to act due to political pressure, forcing the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to intervene. 'The government must not compromise on national security under any circumstances,' he demanded. Bommai also claimed that Siddaramaiah's close associates are openly acknowledging his marginalisation within the current Congress dispensation, signalling what he described as 'major internal political developments' ahead.
Point of View
The BJP attempts to occupy the very ground Congress claims as its own. But the legal argument has limits — courts have historically allowed reasonable restrictions on public property use, and the bill's precise language will determine its fate, not opposition rhetoric. More telling is the Valmiki scam thread: the ED charge sheet and B. Nagendra's re-induction hand the BJP a legitimate accountability argument that is harder for Congress to deflect than a cultural-rights debate. The sleeper-cell warning, if backed by NIA filings, could prove the sharpest political weapon of all heading into the Davanagere bypoll.
NationPress
14 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Karnataka Regulation of Use of Government Premises and Public Property Bill, 2026?
It is a proposed Karnataka state legislation that critics, including former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, allege is designed to curtail RSS activities by regulating how government premises and public property are used. The bill had not been tabled in the Assembly as of 14 August 2026.
Why does Bommai say the RSS bill will fail in court?
Bommai argues the bill violates the civil, personal, and fundamental rights guaranteed to every citizen under the Constitution drafted by B.R. Ambedkar. He cited past instances where similar legislation was struck down by courts, predicting the same outcome for this bill.
What is the Valmiki Development Corporation scam?
The Valmiki Development Corporation scam involves an alleged financial irregularity of ₹89 crore, which former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reportedly acknowledged in the Karnataka Assembly. The Enforcement Directorate has filed a charge sheet detailing the origin and transfer of the funds; minister B. Nagendra, who faces the charge sheet, was controversially re-inducted into the Cabinet.
What did Bommai say about security threats in Karnataka?
Bommai warned that intelligence inputs indicate sleeper cells are being reactivated and new terrorist recruits are being enlisted in Karnataka, referencing arrests in Davanagere and Kalaburagi. He alleged that political pressure is preventing state police from acting decisively, forcing the NIA to step in.
Why did Bommai condemn the Ramlila Maidan purification ritual?
Miscreants allegedly performed a 'purification' ritual at Ramlila Maidan in Uttarakhand after AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge delivered a speech there. Bommai called it an inexcusable insult to a senior leader and said the BJP does not support such actions.
