Karnataka High Court deals a major blow to Siddaramaiah, RSS gets major relief

News Topical, Digital Desk : The Karnataka government, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, has suffered a major setback from the High Court. The court has stayed the government's order requiring prior permission for gatherings of more than 10 people in public places.

The Congress government in Karnataka issued an order on October 18th, requiring private organizations, associations, or groups of individuals to obtain permission before using government property or premises for activities related to the organization. Although the order did not explicitly name the association, it was being suggested that the provisions of the order were intended to impact the activities of Hindu organizations.

The High Court stayed the government order.

The government order was subsequently challenged in court. In defense of its order, the state government cited a 2013 circular issued by the Education Department under the then BJP government, which restricted the use of school premises and playgrounds to educational purposes only.

Demand for ban on RSS activities

The order comes days after Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge demanded a ban on RSS activities in public places. In a letter to Siddaramaiah on October 4, Priyank Kharge, son of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, alleged that the RSS was running its shakhas in government and government-aided schools as well as public places, where "slogans are raised and negative thoughts are instilled in the minds of children and youth."

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