Overview: On 6 July 2026, R. Ashok, Leader of the Opposition in Karnataka’s Legislative Assembly, accused the state Congress government of trying to protect illegal Bangladeshi migrants by issuing PRC. He made the allegation while attending a programme that honoured newly‑elected BJP MLC Raghu Kautilya. The criticism was echoed by BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra and other senior leaders.
Key Developments
- Opposition leaders claim the SIR of voter lists has made it harder for illegal migrants to vote, prompting the PRC proposal.
- They argue that only the Centre can decide on citizenship and domicile, not a state government.
- The opposition alleges that around 20‑30 lakh illegal Bangladeshi migrants reside in Karnataka, with a senior police officer reportedly confirming recent deportations of about 250 nationals.
- BJP leaders announced plans to meet the Governor to seek a halt to the PRC scheme.
Important Facts
The Congress government’s proposal would empower Revenue Inspectors to issue PRC to residents. Opposition parties contend that this step violates the Constitution because citizenship and domicile are exclusive Union subjects. They also link the move to electoral advantage, suggesting that illegal migrants tend to support the ruling party.
Key political figures present at the event included MLA T.S. Srivatsa, MLC Raghu Kautilya, former MP Pratap Simha, and senior BJP leaders such as Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar and Chaluvadi Narayanaswamy.
Exam Relevance
Understanding the constitutional division of powers between the Union and the states is essential for GS 2 (Polity). The debate highlights:
- The role of the Centre in matters of citizenship and domicile.
- The electoral roll cleaning process (SIR) and its impact on voter eligibility.
- Security and demographic concerns arising from illegal Bangladeshi migrants in border states.
- The constitutional role of the Governor in checking state actions that may conflict with Union law.
Way Forward
For the issue to be resolved, the following steps are likely:
- Legal clarification from the Supreme Court on whether a state can issue PRC without violating the Constitution.
- Possible intervention by the Governor if the state proceeds with the scheme.
- Further scrutiny of the SIR process to ensure that only eligible citizens are retained on the rolls.
- Continued political debate on how to balance security concerns with the rights of genuine residents, a recurring theme in Indian polity.