HC stays Karnataka order curbing crowd ahead of RSS march

BENGALURU: The Dharwad bench of Karnataka HC Tuesday stayed state govt's Oct 18 order banning gatherings of more than 10 people in public places, terming them unlawful assemblies punishable under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Justice M Nagaprasanna passed the interim order on a petition filed by Punashchethana Seva Samsthe. The order was issued a day before a proposed RSS route march at Chittapur - home constituency of minister Priyank Kharge - where some Dalit organisations had also planned similar rallies. Later, RSS postponed its event to Nov 2. The issue is also pending before the Kalaburagi bench, which will hear the matter on Oct 30. CM Siddaramaiah said, "Dharwad bench has given a stay order. We will appeal before a division bench". The judge posted the matter to Nov 17 for further hearing. BJP MLC Chalavadi Narayanaswamy called it "a slap on state govt," and urged Congress netas to "learn a lesson and respect court rulings." Senior advocate Ashok Haranahalli, representing the petitioners, submitted the order violates constitutional rights: "Suppose I am in a laughter club or a walking group. How can it be unlawful?" Justice Nagaprasanna observed that prima facie, the order curbed rights conferred upon a citizen under Articles 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(b), which guarantee freedom of speech, expression, and assembly.