RSS gets Karnataka HC breather: Court stays Siddaramaiah govt's new rule on events in public spaces; next hearing on Nov 17

NEW DELHI: The Dharwad bench of the Karnataka high court on Tuesday stayed the Congress government’s recent order mandating private organisations to seek prior permission before conducting any activity in government premises — a move that was widely seen as aimed at curbing Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) route marches and gatherings.As per news agency ANI, justice M Nagaprasanna’s single-judge bench issued an interim stay on the government directive and posted the matter for further hearing on November 17. The petition challenging the order was filed by Punashchaitanya Seva Samsthe, which argued that the government’s notification infringed upon constitutional rights under Articles 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(b) — the freedom of speech, expression, and peaceful assembly.

Two weeks ago, the Karnataka cabinet had decided to frame new rules to regulate RSS activities, including marches and events held on government-owned properties and public roads. The move came after IT-BT minister Priyank Kharge wrote to chief minister Siddaramaiah, urging a ban on RSS and affiliated organisations from using public and government spaces for their programmes.Last week, however, Siddaramaiah clarified that the cabinet’s decision was not exclusively about the RSS, but part of a broader effort to regulate use of public and government spaces for all organisations.

“Any organisation conducting activities without government permission is not allowed. This rule was introduced earlier by the BJP government under Jagadish Shettar in 2013,” he said, referring to an existing circular restricting school premises and playgrounds to educational use.(With agency inputs)