Setback for Priyank Kharge: Karnataka High Court Halts Congress Govt’s Move Seen as Targeting RSS

In a major embarrassment for the Congress government in Karnataka, the High Court has stayed the state’s controversial order that required prior permission for organisations to hold public gatherings in government-owned or public spaces — a move widely seen as a backdoor attempt to restrict RSS activities.

⚖️ The Order That Backfired

On October 18, the Siddaramaiah government issued a directive that no organisation could conduct a gathering of more than 10 people on government land, parks, college grounds, or playgrounds without prior approval.

While the order didn’t explicitly name the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), political observers quickly pointed out that it came just days after Minister Priyank Kharge wrote to the Chief Minister demanding that RSS events be restricted from public places.

The move, however, boomeranged politically — and now legally.

⚔️ High Court’s Response: “You Can’t Violate Fundamental Rights”

A bench led by Justice M. Nagaprasanna observed that the order prima facie infringes upon constitutional freedoms guaranteed under Articles 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(b) — the right to free speech and peaceful assembly.

The court reminded the government that executive orders cannot override constitutional rights, and until the next hearing on November 17, the government directive remains stayed.

This effectively means the RSS and other organisations are free to hold their programmes on public land — a clear legal and political setback for Kharge and the Congress establishment.

🧩 Why It Matters

The Congress has been attempting to curb the RSS’s outreach in Karnataka ever since returning to power. But critics say the latest move reveals the government’s authoritarian streak — hiding behind “law and order” arguments to selectively target ideological opponents.

Ironically, the same government that often speaks of “freedom of expression” tried to restrict peaceful gatherings — until the judiciary stepped in.

💬 The Political Fallout

This episode has now handed the opposition a powerful narrative:

“Congress fears ideological competition.”

“The High Court had to remind the government of the Constitution.”

“Democracy can’t be run on letters from ministers.”

For Priyank Kharge, this is not just a legal blow, it’s a political embarrassment that will echo beyond courtrooms, right into the state’s political battleground.