Karnataka: Congress Govt’s Move To Curb RSS Events Hits High Court Roadblock

In a setback to the Karnataka Congress government, the Dharwad Bench of the High Court on Tuesday stayed its order mandating private organisations to seek prior permission before conducting events in government premises — a directive widely seen as targeting RSS activities, reported India Today.

Justice Nagaprasanna issued the interim stay and scheduled the next hearing for 17 November. Senior advocate Ashok Haranahalli, representing the petitioner Punashchaitanya Seva Samsthe, argued that the directive violated citizens’ fundamental rights.

“The government has ordered that permission should be obtained for gatherings of more than ten people. This is a restriction on the fundamental right provided for in the Constitution. Even if a party is held in a park, it is an illegal gathering as per government order,” Haranahalli told the court.

The petitioner contended that the order imposed unlawful restrictions on private organisations conducting legitimate events. The government order, issued earlier this month, detailed how government-owned and public properties could be used, stipulating that no organisation could hold meetings, cultural programmes, or events in schools, college grounds, or institutional spaces without written approval from departmental heads.

Karnataka Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil earlier maintained that the order was not directed at any specific group, stating, “There’s nothing specific about this organisation or that organisation. Government or institutional properties will be used only with proper permission and for the right purpose.”

State BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra welcomed the court’s decision, calling it “a big setback for the Siddaramaiah government” and asserting that “today justice has prevailed.”

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