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Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
After Bengaluru stampede, Karnataka cabinet to discuss new bills on crowd control, fake news
The Karnataka cabinet is expected to discuss key bills, including the one on crowd control and management with penal provisions upto three years imprisonment, in its next meeting. The Bill gains significance in the wake of the June 4 stampede in Bengaluru that killed 11 people Also, likely to be discussed are bills against misinformation or fake news, and hate speeches and crimes, state Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil said on Thursday after the cabinet meeting. "Four bills were proposed today -- Karnataka Crowd Control (Managing Crowd at Events and Venues of Mass Gathering) Bill, 2025; Karnataka Rohith Vemula Bill, 2025; Karnataka misinformation, fake news prohibition Bill, 2025; Karnataka hate speech and hate crimes prevention Bill, 2025," Patil told reporters. He said, "These Bills were proposed at the meeting today. I mentioned that there is a need for a detailed discussion on some Bills. It has been decided that before the next cabinet meeting, concerned ministers will meet and discuss and bring the Bills before the cabinet." According to sources, the draft of Karnataka Crowd Control (Managing Crowd at Events and Venues of Mass Gathering) Bill states that whoever does not obey the orders of the Police, or violates its provisions or rules, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with a fine up to ₹5,000 or both. Further, if the event planner does not apply before conducting the event or fails to control the crowd gathered and fails to give compensation or violates the provisions of the Bill or rules, he shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with a fine up to ₹5 lakhs or both. Noting that the event planner is responsible for paying the compensation to the person who is severely injured or to the family member of the deceased in stampede-like incidents, the draft Bill says, in case of the event planner not providing the compensation, the government may collect the amount as arrears of land revenue, and the event planner's property can be auctioned by the government. It states that the provisions of the Bill shall not apply to Jatra, Rathotsava, Pallakki Utsava, Teppada Teru, urus, or any religious event pertaining to any religion, caste or creed. The stampede occurred on June 4 evening in front of the Chinnaswamy stadium here, where a large number of people thronged to participate in the RCB team's IPL victory celebrations. Eleven people died and 56 were injured in the incident. The draft of the Rohith Vemula Bill, reportedly proposes compensation of up to ₹1 lakh for students who face caste-based discrimination in higher education institutions, and jail term of one year and a fine of ₹10,000 for guilty. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had written to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in April urging the Karnataka government to enact 'Rohith Vemula Act' to ensure that no one faces caste-based discrimination in the education system. Rohith Vemula, a Dalit student, allegedly died by suicide due to caste-based discrimination in Hyderabad, in 2016.
Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Karnataka plans bill for crowd management
The Karnataka government is planning to enact a legislation on crowd control and management, state law and parliamentary affairs minister HK Patil said on Thursday, with the draft proposing up to three years in jail or a fine of up to ₹5 lakh for organisers who fail to obtain permission. The proposed law — Karnataka Crowd Control (Managing Crowd at Events and Venues of Mass Gathering) Bill, 2025 — was discussed at the state cabinet meeting on Thursday along with three other laws, and is likely to be placed for approval during the next meeting, the minister said. 'Four bills were proposed today — Karnataka crowd control, managing crowd at events and venue of mass gathering Bill, 2025; Karnataka Rohith Vemula Bill, 2025; Karnataka misinformation, fake news prohibition Bill, 2025; Karnataka hate speech and hate crimes prevention Bill, 2025,' Patil told reporters after the cabinet meeting. The minister said that some of the proposed bills need detailed discussions. 'These Bills were proposed at the meeting today. I mentioned that on some Bills there is a need for a detailed discussion. It has been decided that before the next cabinet meeting, concerned ministers will meet and discuss and bring the Bills before the cabinet,' he said. The crowd control bill has been proposed days after 11 people were killed in a stampede on June 4 outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru during the Indian Premier League victory parade of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru cricket team. The draft crowd control legislation outlines a legal framework to regulate gatherings at 'sponsored events and venues of mass gathering pertaining to political rally, jatra, conference, etc.' and seeks to fix accountability on organisers. The legislation exempts certain events from its purview, including religious and traditional gatherings. 'This Act shall not apply to Jatra, Rathotsava, Pallakki Utsava, Teppada Teru, urus, or any religious event pertaining to any religion, caste or creed,' Chapter I of the bill says. HT has seen a copy of the legislation. Chapter IV of the bill lays out penalties for violation: 'If the event planner does not apply before conducting the event or fails to control the crowd gathered and fails to give the compensation or violates the provisions of this Act or rules made hereunder in any other way, [they] shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with fine up to five lakhs rupees or both.' Further, the bill proposes that event planners who intentionally ignore regulations or fail to take police permission before holding a gathering will be held liable if the event results in casualties. These offences are classified as non-cognizable and non-bailable, triable by a magistrate of the first class. The legislation also criminalises aiding or abetting a crime at such events. It states, 'Whoever knowingly or unknowingly believes commission or omission of any other person would be an offence under the Act' will face legal action. The draft Rohith Vemula Bill, reportedly proposes for compensation of up to ₹1 lakh for students who face caste-based discrimination in higher education institutions, and jail term of one year and pay a fine of ₹10,000 for those guilty of such offences. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had written to chief minister Siddaramaiah in April urging the Karnataka government to enact 'Rohith Vemula Act' to ensure that no one faces caste-based discrimination in the education system. Rohith Vemula, a Dalit student, allegedly died by suicide due to caste-based discrimination in Hyderabad, in 2016. HT reached out to senior BJP leaders BY Vijayendra and R Ashoka, but did not get any response to requests for comments.
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Crowd management bill could impact political rallies, religious gatherings
1 2 Bengaluru: The draft of Karnataka Crowd Control (Managing Crowd at Events and Venues of Mass Gatherings) Bill, 2025, is likely to impact political gatherings and religious events in the state. Apart from the fact that the definition of a crowd includes political rallies and jatras, the state govt has a separate chapter under the bill dedicated to prevention of acts leading to crowd gatherings. Under these provisions, the proposed law gives sweeping powers to the district magistrate (or deputy commissioner) to decide what constitutes "an act of crowd gathering" and take measures to avoid untoward incidents. The proposed bill states that "if the district magistrate has reason to believe that a situation has arisen — at any event in a venue within his/her jurisdiction — where there is an apprehension of breach of peace or creation of discord between members of different groups, castes, or communities" the district magistrate can, by order in writing, "prohibit any act" that could "cause apprehension in the minds of another community or caste or group or result in death or injury to persons who are participating" in the event. The bill goes on to add that a competent authority, as appointed by the govt by notification, may, in writing, order cancellation of any assembly or people or procession within his or her jurisdiction or allow them to pass or not pass through any street or public place. The bill, if passed, can even regulate or prohibit use of loudspeakers, music or amplifiers, or any other instrument inducing noise in streets or public places or in private places. The bill suggests spreading awareness, education, and training for ordinary people "by way of education and information campaigns", besides training public officials on prohibition and prevention of stampedes. The bill states that the prosecution must conduct a victim impact assessment, which includes a sworn statement or affirmation by a victim, or any person authorised by the victim. The victim includes any person who has suffered physical, psychological, social, economic, or any other consequences of an offence under the Act.
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Post stampede, Karnataka drafts tough crowd-control bill
Bengaluru Stampede BENGALURU: Karnataka govt has drafted a sweeping crowd-management bill holding event organisers criminally and financially liable for stampedes and crowd surges at mass gatherings, weeks after 11 people were crushed to death and over 75 injured outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru during RCB's IPL victory celebrations on June 4. The Karnataka Crowd Control (Managing Crowd at Events and Venues of Mass Gathering) Bill, 2025, accessed by TOI, proposes up to three years in jail and a Rs 5 lakh fine for commercial event organisers violating safety rules. Non-commercial organisers - including political and religious groups - face the same jail term or a smaller fine of Rs 5,000, or both. The bill mandates that event organisers apply for permission from the jurisdictional police station, which may alter the venue in case of risk or emergency. Local police and district magistrates - typically deputy commissioners - are granted wide-ranging powers to curb, cancel, or relocate events, and to intervene if there is even an apprehension of disorder, violence, or communal tension. Once issued, orders from district authorities will remain in force for 30 days, extendable to 60 days in special cases. In the event of a stampede, the bill mandates punishment for planners and anyone who aids or abets them. It also directs organisers to pay compensation to victims. If compensation isn't paid, govt may recover it as land revenue dues - including auctioning the organiser's property. The draft legislation will be released publicly in the coming days. If passed, it is expected to impact the way large gatherings are held in Karnataka, including political rallies.
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Bill moots 3-yr jail, 5L fine for event planners in case of trouble
Bengaluru: Two weeks after a stampede at KSCA stadium in Bengaluru claimed the lives of 11 people, Karnataka govt has drafted a crowd-management bill with stringent punishment and fastening the responsibility on event organisers if any of the laws are breached. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Karnataka Crowd Control (managing crowd at events and venues of mass gathering) Bill, 2025, accessed by TOI, recommends up to three years in jail and a Rs 5-lakh fine if commercial event planners violate the laws laid down by the govt. All others (non-commercial event planners) who violate the law will attract three years in jail or a Rs 5,000 fine or both. The bill gives powers to local police and district magistrates (deputy commissioners) to curb or cancel an event or change the venue in case of emergencies or if there is an apprehension of a discord or breach of peace. The orders issued by the district DCs against any such event shall be in force for 30 days or for a period specified by the authorities. In exceptional cases, it could extend up to 60 days from the date of the first order. The bill, whose details will be published by the state govt, says event organisers must apply to the jurisdictional police station and the police may change the venue in case of an emergency. In case of a stampede, the government will hold the event planners and all those who aid, abet or assist responsible and slap them with a three-year punishment and fine. Further, the bill asks the event planners to pay compensation to victims in the event of a tragedy. If the event planners are not paying compensation, then the govt may collect the amount as arrears from land revenue. "The event planner's property could (also) be auctioned by the govt," reads the bill.
