Karnataka High Court Pulls Up Congress Government Over Protests Against Waqf Act Amid Pending Case In Supreme Court

The Karnataka High Court on Thursday (17 April) sharply criticised the Congress-led state government for allowing a protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, despite the issue being sub judice before the Supreme Court, PTI reported.

Justice M Nagaprasanna, hearing a petition filed by a Mangaluru resident, Rajesh A, observed, “The state shall bear in mind that the matter is seized by the apex court qua the amendment to the Waqf Act, and a protest of this kind should not be permitted.”

The judge firmly reiterated that such demonstrations must only occur at designated locations and with official sanction. “If there is no permission, there is no protest,” he added.

The petition challenged a directive issued by the Police Commissioner of Mangaluru, advising both private and government-run bus operators not to ply services along a stretch of National Highway 73 from noon to 9 pm on Friday (18 April) due to the protest.

Represented by advocates Hemanth R Rao and Leelesh Krishna, the petitioner contended that the advisory had caused unnecessary disruption to public transport and inconvenienced commuters without just cause.

In its reply, the state government informed the court that the earlier communication had since been revised, and regular traffic services would continue as usual.

Nonetheless, authorities suggested that heavy and medium commercial vehicles take alternative routes as a precaution.

The court directed the government to ensure that public roads remain unobstructed during such events.

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