No political gathering in Karnataka, rally till COVID-19 guidelines come into force: HC

The High Court of Karnataka directed the state government to ensure that no rally, dharna, demonstration or political action is held in any district across Karnataka in view of the ban on such events due to the enhancement of the guidelines issued on January 4. Meeting is not allowed. Number of COVID-19 cases.

The court directed the government to implement the mandate of the guidelines issued on January 4 till they are in operation to contain the spread of COVID-19.

A division bench of Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi and Justice Suraj Govindraj on January 14, while disposing of PILs, issued the directions, demanding political rallies and gatherings, especially despite the ban on the Mekedatu project by the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) on padyatra. The question was raised. on such an event.

Earlier, Additional Advocate General R. Subramaniam told the bench that the government had on January 12 issued a separate order banning KPCC’s padyatra and directed the deputy commissioners and superintendents of police of all districts to ensure that no padyatras were allowed, and no Use of vehicle is also permitted in person or for padyatra in any part of Karnataka.

The order was passed after the bench on January 12 questioned whether the state government was “helpless and totally incompetent” to stop the padyatra that began on January 9.

Senior advocate Uday Hola, appearing for KPCC, clarified that in view of the observations made by the bench during the hearing on January 12 and keeping in view the prevailing situation of COVID-19 pandemic, the padyatra has been temporarily suspended. However, he added that other political parties are holding rallies in different parts of Karnataka.

Taking note of the government order issued on January 12 and the KPCC’s note that it has postponed the padyatra, with ‘Namma Neeru Namma Hakku’ (Our water, our right), the bench disposed of the petitions.