Blow to Siddaramaiah as Karnataka HC freezes new govt order on public gatherings

On October 18, the Congress government had issued an order that made it mandatory for all private organisations, associations or a group of people to take permission before organising any programme on government property or premises.

Though there was nothing written about the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh or RSS, the order was viewed by the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as an attempt to restrict the events of its ideological parent.

The faceoff escalated when RSS' attempt to hold a “patha sanchalan” (route march) in Chittapur, in the Kalaburagi district of Karnataka, on October 19 was turned down by the administration.

The order was issued days after Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge sought a ban on RSS triggering a huge showdown.

In the court, the government cited a 2013 order that under the then BJP government had restricted the use of school premises and attached playgrounds for events to only related to education.

Previously, a faceoff between the arch-rivals started in Karnataka after a panchayat officer was suspended for attending an event held by the Hindu voluntary organisation RSS.

Praveen Kumar KP, who is the Panchayat Development Officer from Sirwar Taluk in Raichur district, had participated at RSS' centenary event.

Praveen Kumar had participated in the RSS route march wearing the organisation's uniform and carrying a stick during the event, which was held in Lingsugur on October 12.

Following this, the officer was suspended by the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Department for violation of civil service conduct rules that mandates political neutrality and discipline.

A departmental probe into the incident has been ordered.

The incident has prompted the BJP to accuse the Congress of driving an "anti-Hindu mindset" through the "misuse" of the "government machinery".