The Hindu : Karnataka News : Notice to JD(S), police on rally

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 29, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka

Notice to JD(S), police on rally

Staff Reporter

PIL petition seeks ban on processions

BANGALORE: The Karnataka High Court on Thursday ordered issue of notice to the Janata Dal (Secular), which is planning to organise a "Daridra Narayana" rally in Bangalore on Saturday.

A Division Bench comprising Justice K.L. Manjunath and Justice V. Jagannathan also ordered issue of notice to the Home Secretary and the Commissioner of Police, Bangalore, on a public interest litigation (PIL) petition by Krishna Bhat seeking a ban on rallies and processions within the limits of Bangalore city.

In his petition, Mr. Bhat said rallies and processions in the city limits were causing inconvenience to the residents apart from leading to traffic jams and loss by way of damage to public and private property. He said the procession by the Karnataka State Government Employees' Federation on Tuesday had created problems for citizens.

He said a former Prime Minister residing in Bangalore planned to organise the "Daridra Narayana" rally in support of slum dwellers and against land grabbers. He anticipated that the rally would disrupt normal life and lead to traffic chaos.

He said the number of rallies and processions had increased in Bangalore after the coalition Government came to power. Political parties were using rallies to showcase their strength.

He sought a direction from the court to ensure that rallies were not conducted within Bangalore city limits.

The Bench ordered issue of notice to the respondents and adjourned further hearing.

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