Sidda order restricting public events stayed

Karnataka HC order a setback to Cong govt, says state BJP president; CM says will appeal against interim stay

- MALLIKARJUN HIREMATH Dharwad

IN a setback to the Siddaramaiah government, the Dharwad bench of the Karnataka High Court on Tuesday stayed the government order, restraining private organisations from holding events on governmentowned places.

The government order, which is seen as aimed at the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, was passed after RDPR Minister Priyank Kharge wrote to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to curb RSS activities in the state.

The order was challenged in the high court by NGO Punaschetana Seva Sangh, VK Foundation, Rajiv Malhar Kulkarni and Uma Chavan.

Justice M Nagaprasanna issued the stay on the government order.

The petitioners argued that the government order, which restricted events, gatherings and others, is unconstitutional.