High Court stays govt's controversial order; RSS processions allowed on govt property

BENGALURU: The High Court granted an interim stay on the Karnataka government's order imposing restrictions on RSS activities. The order was issued by a bench of Justice M Nagaprasanna. The court issued notices to the Karnataka government, the Home Department and the Hubballi Police Commissioner.

The state government had declared it a criminal offence to assemble more than ten people without prior permission. It had imposed restrictions on the use of roads and playgrounds for assembly, citing provisions under the Police Act. However, the High Court observed that the government cannot restrict the rights that protect freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. The court also said that no government order can breach the rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

Meanwhile, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya accused Congress leader and minister Priyank Kharge of being the brain behind the move targeting RSS. Priyank Kharge had written a letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah demanding a ban on RSS and other organisations from holding activities in government places. The government later imposed restrictions on RSS activities.