High Court stay on govt order: Priyank Kharge blames local officers' dereliction

Bengaluru: Panchayat Raj and IT/BT Minister Priyank Kharge on Wednesday blamed “dereliction” by local officials for the High Court’s Dharwad bench staying the government’s order requiring prior permission for the use of public places.

“The advocate general didn’t have information. We didn’t know that the matter was listed. There was dereliction on the part of local officials,” Priyank told reporters, adding that the government will appeal against the interim stay. 

Defending the impugned order, Priyank said the government had merely extended to the entire state an existing High Court order. 

“We’re not barring any activity. We’re only saying that permission must be sought,” Priyank said. “Is it okay for anybody to do anything they want in public places or government premises?” 

The government order was based on a Cabinet decision, prompted by Priyank’s petition seeking a ban on the activities of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in public places. 

Reacting to the BJP celebrating the High Court decision, Priyank said: “If this was a win for them, then they should’ve done 3-4 route marches in Chittapur by now. The BJP is completely
misinterpreting the High Court order, which is an interim one.” 

Priyank also asked the BJP-RSS to apologise for the abuses he has received. “When I received an abusive call from a Maharashtra man, did anyone from the RSS or BJP condemn it? Let them apologise,” he said.