Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
relationship: The Kalaburagi bench of the Karnataka High Court on Friday, hearing petitions filed by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and five other organizations seeking permission to hold a foot march on November 2 in Chittapur town – represented by RDPR, IT and BT minister Priyank Kharge – sought a report from the government and adjourned the hearing to October 30.
The High Court directed the government to hold a peace meeting on 28 October and submit its report by 30 October. It also directed the authorities to inform the petitioners about the timing of the peace meeting within a day. The bench said that the matter should not be prolonged and an amicable solution would be better.
Representing the state, Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty informed the court that the Deputy Commissioner of Kalaburagi district had expressed two opinions in his report – stating that the proposed foot march could cause public inconvenience, traffic congestion and potential law and order issues – and suggested that the event be postponed by a few weeks.
The Advocate General further said that it has been recommended in the report that at present no organization should be allowed to take out a foot march. He clarified that RSS’s March application has not been rejected but has been kept in abeyance.
When the court asked when the final decision would be taken, Shetty replied that action would be taken after the peace meeting and requested the court to hear the case again in two weeks.
Advising the government to resolve the issue amicably, the bench remarked that this is an opportunity to showcase the efficiency of the administration. It also said the report lacked clarity on how the case would be resolved.
Shetty said that though eight organizations had applied for permission to organize the foot march, none of the requests have been considered yet. “Separate statements have been issued regarding the foot march. We will resolve the issue within two weeks,” he said.
However, senior advocate Arun Shyam, appearing for the RSS, objected to this argument and said that it had already been agreed that a foot march would be taken out on November 2. “Now, unnecessary obstacles are being created to stop this. If the state government cannot handle the situation, it should deploy central forces. Marching on foot is a fundamental right,” he said.
The bench then asked the government when it planned to hold the peace meeting and reiterated its direction to hold it on October 28 and submit the report by October 30.
RSS lawyer Arun Shyam requested that the peace meeting be held tomorrow (25 October). However, Advocate General Shetty objected saying that lawyers cannot decide or fix the date.
Earlier, the RSS had filed a petition challenging the authorities’ refusal to grant permission to hold its centenary year foot march in Chittapur. The court had directed the organization to submit a fresh application to the authorities seeking permission for November 2. Subsequently, Bhim Army, Dalit Panthers and Kuruba community organizations had also filed applications to organize processions and foot marches on the same day.
Karnataka State Farmers Union has also filed a petition seeking permission from the Center to take out a procession demanding flood relief, while the State Christian Welfare Society has sought permission for a peace padayatra. The society, in its plea, clarified that prayers are held on Sundays and the purpose of the Shanti Padyatra is not to counter the RSS foot march but to promote peace and harmony among the public.
The organizations have also submitted separate petitions to Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner Fauzia Tarnum, who has sought inputs from the police department.
The RSS had earlier planned to hold its foot march on October 19, but authorities had denied permission citing law and order concerns. The union said it had followed all necessary procedures before approaching the high court.
Following a letter from minister Priyank Kharge demanding a ban on RSS activities in public places, the Congress-led government in Karnataka made a rule that all private organizations take prior permission from authorities before carrying out any activity in public or government-owned premises.
Responding to the Congress government’s criticism and alleged attempts to restrict its activities, the BJP said the RSS has the strength to face “hundreds of Priyank Kharges and Siddaramaiahs”. It said the RSS had also faced former prime ministers Nehru and Indira Gandhi.
Priyank Kharge is the RDPR, IT and BT Minister and son of AICC President Malikarjun Kharge. Siddaramaiah is the Children’s Minister of Karnataka.
–IANS