High Court warns organisers, seeks names of persons responsible for Mysuru rally
The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday issued a stern warning to organisers of a proposed Akhanda Bharatha Sankalpa Dina event in Mysuru, saying it would hold them completely responsible for any untoward incident. The petition, filed by the Hindu Jagarana Vedike seeking permission for a march and concluding stage programme, was heard by a single-judge bench of Justice Suraj Govindaraj.
The bench directed the petitioners to furnish the names of individuals who would be responsible for the event, and made clear that the court would impose strict liability on those named. The court observed that no defence would be permitted if anything went wrong. According to the report, the bench said:
“Anything that happens, you will be completely responsible. Please give us the names of people who will be responsible for everything. We will impose that responsibility. No defence will be allowed. Strict liability.”
The proposed procession was to commence on August 15, starting from RMC Ganesha Temple and proceed through several key junctions before culminating in a stage programme at Kote Anjaneya Temple. The bench indicated that while a stationary function at a single location might be permissible, the proposed 2.5-kilometre march could not be allowed at the time sought without authorities addressing law-and-order concerns.
Route and police concerns
The petitioners had sought permission for a march that, according to the petition, would follow this route:
- RMC Ganesha Temple — starting point
- Mission Hospital Circle — transit
- Sade Road — transit
- Meena Bazaar — transit
- CCB Police Station Circle — transit
- Lashkar Police Station Circle — transit
- Dodd Gadiyara Circle — transit
- Kote Anjaneya Temple — concluding stage programme
The bench said it could not permit the march along the stated route at the proposed time without the authorities satisfying law-and-order requirements. Senior Advocate M Arun Shyam, appearing for the petitioner, challenged the police endorsement that denied permission on law-and-order grounds and argued there was no material to suggest the proposed event would create such problems. He told the court the programme would be a peaceful demonstration and pointed to previous years when similar events were allowed in the city.
Court seeks list, undertakings and accountability
According to the report, the petitioners offered to provide a list of organisers and an undertaking, and said precautions would be taken. The bench, however, emphasised its insistence on strict accountability and sought the names of persons who would be responsible for the entire programme. The court made it clear organisers could be held to account in the event of any breach of public order.
The hearing highlights the heightened sensitivity authorities and the judiciary attach to marches and processions that traverse busy urban stretches, particularly on dates with potential for heightened public gatherings such as Independence Day. The court’s approach signals an insistence on pre-identified responsibility and on demonstrable mitigation plans before approving processions that pass through multiple civic landmarks.
Implications for Mysuru on August 14–15
The petition concerns events scheduled for August 14 and 15 in Mysuru and may affect policing and traffic arrangements around the specified route should the court or police impose conditions or refuse permission. Residents and commuters along the proposed corridor — from RMC Ganesha Temple through Meena Bazaar and Dodd Gadiyara to Kote Anjaneya Temple — may need to watch for official advisories from the city police and district administration in the run-up to Independence Day.
| Event | Date | Principal concern |
|---|---|---|
| Akhanda Bharatha Sankalpa Dina march | August 15 | Law-and-order and public safety on 2.5 km route |
The court’s directions underscore a judicial preference for clear, enforceable accountability mechanisms for organisers of public processions. The matter remains pending, with organisers required to furnish the details sought by the bench before any decision on permitting the procession along the proposed route can be taken.
