6 months ago
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In a setback to the Karnataka government, the Dharwad Bench of the High Court has stayed a caller bid which sought to curb backstage gatherings successful State authorities properties and premises.
A single-judge seat of Justice M. Nagaprasanna passed the bid portion proceeding a petition filed by the Hubballi-based Punashchetana Seva Samsthe challenging the GO. The substance has been posted for further proceeding connected November 17, 2025.
The State Government had, connected October 18, passed an bid to forestall trespassing of nationalist properties by backstage organisations. It had travel days aft IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge’s missive to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah seeking a prohibition connected activities of organisations specified arsenic the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) connected nationalist properties similar authorities schools, colleges, etc.
Appearing connected behalf of the petitioner, elder advocator Ashok Haranahalli argued that the caller Government Order had mandated that support indispensable beryllium obtained for gatherings of much than 10 people. “This is simply a usurpation of the cardinal rights granted nether the Constitution. Even holding a laughter nine successful the parkland would beryllium considered an amerciable gathering arsenic per the government’s order,” helium said.
According to the GO, a gathering of much than 10 radical without support for processions oregon meetings successful authorities places volition beryllium considered an unlawful assembly. “The authorities should not contented specified administrative orders. Why is this regularisation indispensable erstwhile the Karnataka Police Act, 1963, is successful force?” the counsel asked.
Interim stay
In its order, the HC said that entree to roads, parks, grounds, lakes, etc., had been restricted, and the authorities had exercised the authorization nether the Police Act done an order.
“The authorities has taken distant the close granted nether Article 19 (1)A, B of the Constitution. The close granted by the Constitution cannot beryllium taken distant by a authorities order. Therefore, the tribunal orders that the authorities bid has been stayed,” Justice Nagaprasanna said.
