Karnataka BJP to challenge PRC scheme legally, calls it unconstitutional
Synopsis
Karnataka BJP chief B. Y. Vijayendra has declared war on the state Congress government's Permanent Residence Certificate scheme — calling it unconstitutional, a usurpation of Central powers, and a political conspiracy timed to the ongoing electoral roll revision. The party is heading to court and to the Governor, setting up a sharp federal-versus-state confrontation on citizenship authority.
Key Takeaways
Karnataka BJP President B.
Vijayendra announced on 11 July that the party will explore legal options to challenge the state's Permanent Residence Certificate (PRC) scheme.
The BJP will submit a petition to the Governor of Karnataka alleging the state government is usurping powers of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) .
Vijayendra argued that determining citizenship under the Indian Citizenship Act is the exclusive domain of the Centre, not state governments.
The BJP accused Congress of double standards — having opposed the National Register of Citizens (NRC) at the Centre while issuing PRCs at the state level.
The timing of the PRC issuance, coinciding with the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, was alleged to be a political conspiracy to consolidate the Congress vote bank.
Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President and MLA B. Y. Vijayendra on Saturday, 11 July declared that his party would explore legal options to challenge the constitutional validity of the Permanent Residence Certificate (PRC) being issued by the state's Congress government. Vijayendra described the PRC scheme as a 'devious strategy to protect illegal immigrants and consolidate its vote bank,' and announced plans to petition the Governor of Karnataka against what he termed a 'patently unconstitutional and illogical move.'
BJP's Legal and Constitutional Challenge
Vijayendra said he would shortly convene a meeting of the party's legal team to identify ways to challenge the PRC scheme in court. The BJP also intends to submit a formal petition to the Governor — as the constitutional head of the state — drawing his attention to what the party alleges is the state government's attempt to usurp powers vested exclusively in the Union government.
'We will approach the constitutional head of the state to draw his attention to the issue. We will not allow the Congress government to usurp the Centre's powers and authority in matters related to the Indian Citizenship Act,' Vijayendra stated.
Centre's Jurisdiction Argument
At the heart of the BJP's objection is a jurisdictional argument: Vijayendra contended that the power to determine citizenship — including the preparation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the issuance of residency certificates — rests solely with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). He argued that only the MHA can establish whether an individual is a bona fide citizen under the Indian Citizenship Act, and that a state government issuing PRCs directly encroaches on that authority.
'The task of determining citizenship under the Indian Citizenship Act rests solely with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. I charge the Congress government with not only working at cross-purposes with the Union government but also usurping the powers and authority of the Centre solely for political considerations,' he said.
Congress Accused of Double Standards on NRC
Vijayendra also accused the Congress of contradicting its earlier stance on the NRC. He alleged that the party had vigorously opposed the BJP-led Centre's move to prepare the NRC when in opposition, yet was now issuing PRCs at the state level — a move he characterised as serving the same purpose while bypassing federal oversight.
'When the BJP government at the Centre wanted to exercise its constitutional right to prepare the National Register of Citizens, the Congress party opposed it and raised a hue and cry. Now, the Congress government in Karnataka is issuing PRCs, which are totally unconstitutional and patently illogical,' Vijayendra added.
SIR Exercise and Electoral Conspiracy Allegation
The BJP President further alleged that the timing of the PRC issuance — coinciding with the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise for electoral rolls — points to a political conspiracy. He charged the state government with seeking electoral dividends by shielding illegal immigrants and expanding its voter base ahead of future elections. The Congress government has not yet publicly responded to these specific allegations.
The BJP has indicated it will pursue the matter both politically and through the courts, with the legal team meeting expected to determine the precise grounds and forum for any challenge.
Point of View
And any state-level instrument that mimics or substitutes for federal citizenship determination invites judicial scrutiny. What makes this politically charged, however, is the simultaneity with the SIR exercise — the BJP's allegation of electoral engineering is difficult to dismiss entirely when the timing is this pointed. The Congress has not yet offered a substantive legal rebuttal, which leaves the jurisdictional argument largely unanswered in the public domain. If the courts do take up the challenge, the outcome could set a precedent on how far states can go in creating residency or domicile instruments that touch on citizenship-adjacent rights.
NationPress
11 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Permanent Residence Certificate (PRC) being issued in Karnataka?
The Permanent Residence Certificate (PRC) is a document being issued by the Karnataka state government under the Congress administration. Karnataka BJP President B. Y. Vijayendra has alleged it is unconstitutional, arguing that determining residency linked to citizenship falls exclusively under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, not state governments.
Why is the Karnataka BJP opposing the PRC scheme?
The BJP contends that issuing PRCs is a power reserved for the Union government under the Indian Citizenship Act, and that the state Congress government is usurping Central authority. The party also alleges the scheme is designed to protect illegal immigrants and consolidate the Congress vote bank ahead of elections.
What legal steps is the Karnataka BJP planning?
BJP President B. Y. Vijayendra said he would convene a meeting of the party's legal team to determine grounds for a court challenge to the PRC's constitutional validity. The party also plans to submit a petition to the Governor of Karnataka highlighting the alleged overreach by the state government.
How does the BJP connect the PRC to the NRC controversy?
Vijayendra accused the Congress of double standards — the party had opposed the BJP-led Centre's National Register of Citizens (NRC) initiative when in opposition, but is now issuing PRCs at the state level, which he argues serves a similar purpose without federal oversight or accountability.
What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise and why is it relevant?
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is an exercise to update electoral rolls conducted by election authorities. The BJP has alleged that the Karnataka government chose to issue PRCs precisely during this period to influence voter registration, calling it a political conspiracy to draw electoral dividends.
