Karnataka High Court stays State government order regulating activities of private organisations on public land

In a setback to the Karnataka government, the Dharwad Bench of the High Court has stayed a recent order which sought to curb private gatherings in  State government properties and premises.

A single-judge bench of Justice M. Nagaprasanna passed the order while hearing a petition filed by the Hubballi-based Punashchetana Seva Samsthe challenging the GO. The matter has been posted for further hearing on November 17, 2025.

The State Government had, on October 18, passed an order to prevent trespassing of public properties by private organisations. It had come days after IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge’s letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah seeking a ban on activities of organisations such as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on public properties like government schools, colleges, etc.

Interim stay

“The government has taken away the right granted under Article 19 (1)(a) and (b) of the Constitution. The right granted by the Constitution cannot be taken away by a government order. Therefore, the court orders that the government order has been stayed,” The HC said in its order.