**Karnataka Government Refers Crowd Control Bill to Committee Amid Opposition**
The Karnataka government has decided to refer the Crowd Control (Managing Crowd at Events and Places of Gathering) Bill, 2025 to a house committee following significant pushback from opposition parties. Concerns have been raised that the legislation could limit protests and impact cultural and religious gatherings. The Bill, introduced by Home Minister G Parameshwara, was prompted by the tragic stampede outside Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, which resulted in 11 fatalities. Parameshwara characterized the incident as a “wake-up call,” emphasizing that the legislation aims to enhance crowd safety and hold event organizers accountable.
Under the proposed Bill, event organizers expecting 7,000 or more attendees must secure police permission in advance. For events anticipated to draw over 50,000 participants, an indemnity bond of Rs 1 crore is also required. Initially, applications for permission were to be submitted ten days prior to the event; however, Parameshwara later agreed to shorten this notice period to five days in response to opposition concerns.
The legislation stipulates severe penalties for unpermitted events, including imprisonment of up to seven years and fines reaching Rs 1 crore. In cases of injuries or fatalities, the penalties could escalate to life imprisonment for deaths. Additionally, disturbances or breaches of peace during events could lead to three years’ imprisonment and fines of Rs 50,000. Notably, family functions and private events, including those held in rented venues, are exempt from these regulations, while religious events, mass marriages, and government functions are also excluded.
Criticism of the Bill has been voiced by senior BJP legislator Suresh Kumar, who labeled it an “afterthought” in light of the High Court’s inquiries regarding Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for crowd management. Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka expressed apprehensions that the Bill could be misused by law enforcement, questioning the implications for political parties hosting events. Other legislators, including Bijapur City MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal and BJP MLA Sunil Kumar, echoed these sentiments, warning that the powers granted under the Bill could be exploited to target protests or specific communities. Yatnal even suggested that the Bill appears to be aimed at “targeting events of one religion and curtailing protests,” comparing it to oppressive measures from the colonial era.
In response to the opposition’s concerns, Parameshwara agreed to amend certain provisions, including the reduction of the advance notice period and the exemption of religious events, mass marriages, and government functions from the Bill’s purview. Despite these concessions, opposition members insisted that the Bill requires thorough examination before it can be enacted, advocating for its referral to a house committee for further scrutiny.
**FAQ**
**What is the Crowd Control Bill in Karnataka?**
The Crowd Control Bill aims to regulate large gatherings and events to ensure safety and accountability among organizers, requiring police permission for events with significant attendance.