Dharwad: The Karnataka High Court, on Tuesday, stayed a decision by the Siddaramaiah government to restrict the activities of organisations like the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in the state.
The Dharwad Bench of the High Court stayed the order which called on private organisations to obtain prior permission before holding activities in government premises, ANI has reported. The matter will come up for hearing on November 17 again.
On October 18, the Karnataka government reissued a 2013 order which prohibited the use of government school grounds for private purposes. Though chief minister Siddaramaiah denied that this has anything to do with the RSS, statements by some of his cabinet colleagues indicated otherwise.
The state government order apparently came after Karnataka minister for information technology and biotechnology Priyank Kharge wrote a letter to the CM, calling on him to take action against officials participating in RSS programs.
The state government’s order was aimed at “the preservation, protection and proper utilisation of government properties and premises, playgrounds, and public assets.”
Kharge wrote to Siddaramaiah after a Panchayat Development Officer (PDO) in Karnataka’s Raichur district allegedly participated in an event held by the RSS.
Citing Rule 5(1) of the Karnataka Civil Service (Conduct) Rules, 2021, Kharge called for the state chief minister to step in and take action.
“As per Rule 5(1) of the Karnataka Civil Service (Conduct) Rules, 2021 for Government servants in the State of Karnataka, the following rule is already in force. No Government servant shall be a member of, or otherwise associated with, any political party or any organisation engaged in politics, or shall take part in any political movement or activity, shall not be solicited for its support or shall render any assistance thereto. It has been observed that government officials and employees are participating in the programs and activities organised by RSS and other organisations in recent times, despite the clear direction,” Kharge stated in his letter.
Following this letter, the PDO was suspended from his post.
