HC declares Feb 4 bandh call as ‘unconstitutional’

Directs state to ensure that normal life of citizens are not affected

Shraddha Parents’ Association, Bengaluru, the petitioner, argued that bandhs have no logic as they result in loss to the nation in multiple ways.

The Karnataka High Court, on Friday, declared as “unconstitutional” the call given by some organisations for a bandh on February 4 in relation to Mahadayi water dispute issue.

The court also directed the state government, its officials and agencies to take steps to ensure that day-to-day life of people, commerce and industrial activities are not impacted due such an unconstitutional call.

A Division Bench comprising acting Chief Justice H.G. Ramesh and Justice P.S. Dinesh Kumar passed the interim order after hearing a PIL petition, filed by Shraddha Parents’ Association, Bengaluru.

Making clear that no organisation or individual has right to give a call for bandh as per the apex court’s direction, the court directed the state government to adhere to the Supreme Court’s guidelines in this regard.

Arguing that the fundamental rights of people as a whole cannot be subservient to the fundamental rights of an individual or a section of people, the petitioner-association had said that bandhs have no logic as they result in loss to the nation in multiple ways and not only because of loss owing to destruction of property.