Permit must, says Karnataka govt order as RSS plans marches

Bengaluru: The Siddaramaiah administration issued an order Saturday making “prior permission” mandatory for any private organisation, association or a group of persons to use government property or premises.

The order came as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) announced pathasanchalana or route marches in various parts of the state on Sunday: Chittapur, Bantwal, Byndoor, Holehonnur, Harihara, Gubbi and Kunigal.

While it does not specifically name RSS, the order contains enough provisions to impact the activities of the Hindu nationalist organisation, including its route marches.

The order is based on a Cabinet decision Thursday, prompted by Panchayat Raj and IT/BT Minister Priyank Kharge’s petition seeking a ban on activities of the RSS in public places.

Permission to use government premises must be sought three days before an intended programme or event, the order states. This will apply to any private association, society, trust, club, body of individuals or any other entity, whether registered or not.

Permission will be required for any ‘procession or rally’, which includes a congregation of over 10 persons, accompanied by music, having “a common object to carry on a common movement or route march passing through a government property”. Marriage and funeral gatherings are exempted.

Government premises include land, building, road, park, playground, water body or any immovable property owned and managed by local authorities or administrative departments, boards, corporations, etc.

The jurisdictional police commissioner or deputy commissioner will be the ‘competent authority’ to issue permits.

“It has come to the notice of the government that various private organisations, associations and groups have been using government properties and premises for organising and performing private programmes and events without any prior permission,” states the home department order, adding that government properties are “affected adversely” because of this.

The order states that the government wants to “regulate the usage and maintenance of” government properties.

Applications for permission will be verified by the ‘competent authority’ with related departments. Applicants will be asked to obtain no-objections from local authorities and departments like public works, fire, electricity, etc.

Applicants and associated persons will be held liable for any untoward incident.

Any programme or procession held in violation of the government order will be treated as “unlawful assembly” under provision of the Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita (BNS).

Departments of urban development, education, rural development and others have been asked to issue detailed guidelines “so as to ensure that the rights of the constitutionally-bound citizens are not compromised”.