The Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) has issued a new rule for media at Vidhana Soudha. Media must now record official video statements only at a designated spot near the western gate. They are not allowed to follow the Chief Minister or other ministers inside the premises for video coverage. The DPAR said this step is for security reasons. This decision has caused an uproar. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) sharply criticized it. BJP's Leader of Opposition R. Ashok said, "The decision was driven by fear that recent media reports exposing alleged theft of gold and cash and illegal transactions in the office of Minister Byrathi Suresh would receive further attention." BJP state president B.S. Vijayendra accused the government of throttling media freedom after its failed attempt to pass the hate speech Bill. He called the circular "highly condemnable" and an attempt to control the media "in the name of security." Vijayendra claimed, "The Siddaramaiah-led government has something to hide and somebody to shield. That’s the reason why the government has banned the entry of electronic media into the Vidhana Soudha." JD(S) youth wing president Nikhil Kumaraswamy questioned the constitutional grounds of the ban. He urged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to protect constitutional values and said the circular is reminiscent of the Emergency period. Opposition leaders want the government to rethink the order. The directive was published on February 18, 2026, at 8:17 pm IST.