The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Court to frame guidelines on rallies and protests

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Thursday, Nov 20, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Court to frame guidelines on rallies and protests

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday orally indicated it would give directions to the State and others and frame guidelines on holding of rallies and protests in the State.

A Division Bench comprising Justice S.R. Bannurmath and Justice A.N. Venugopala Gowda made this suggestion when hearing several public interest litigation (PIL) petitions seeking regulation of strikes, bandhs, hartals and processions.

The petitioners had pointed to the virtual paralysis of normal life in Bangalore city when political parties called for bandhs, strikes, processions and public functions. They urged the court to pass orders directing the authorities to take remedial steps.

Advocate-General Uday Holla, appearing for the State, said there is no other place other than Palace Grounds, National College Grounds and now the Freedom Park (old Central Jail premises on Seshadri Road) to hold protests in Bangalore city.

The Bench asked the AG to tell the court what the Government intended to do to regulate public protests and processions so as to minimise inconvenience to the people.

When the AG said the Freedom Park was being readied for permitting protests, the Bench expressed its apprehension and said it was a small place and that it could not accommodate big protests. The Bench invited suggestions from advocates, political parties and the petitioners for coming up with a viable solution. It also asked the AG to place by next Wednesday suggestions of the Government. The Bench said the suggestions should be so made that they would hold good for at least ten years. The Bench adjourned further hearing of the matter to Wednesday.

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