High Court Permits Karnataka Rajyotsava Function To Be Held At Idgah Maidan

The Karnataka High Court has granted permission to Chamarajpet Nagarikar Okkuta to hold the Karnataka Rajyotsava function from November 1 to November 3 at Chamarajpet playground (Idgah Maidan ground). 

A division bench of Chief Justice Prasanna B Varale and Justice Krishna S Dixit disposed of the petition filed by the organisation observing;

"The petitioner organisation must take care by issuing necessary instructions to its members not to indulge in any act whereby the communal harmony or law and order in the city is put to stake.”

The organisation had approached the court after their representation made to the authorities to celebrate on the ground was turned down.

Advocate Shridhar Prabhu submitted that the organisation is not pressing for a joint celebration of Karnataka Rajyotsava and Annamma Devi Utsav, but the entire aim and object to approach the authority was to celebrate Karnataka Rajyotsava, which is on November 1, and other activities expanding from 1-11-2023 to 3-11-2023.

In addition to Karnataka Rajyotsava (the formation of the state of Karnataka), several other cultural events are scheduled for each day. The organization's goal is to promote unity and secularism by encouraging participation from all sections of society and religions, thereby contributing to the larger celebration of Karnataka Rajyotsava.

They also aim to provide a platform for young talent to showcase their skills through cultural events.

As such, it was argued that the representation be treated only to the effect of a request for conducting Karnataka Rajyotsava at Chamarajpet Playing ground and events will only be limited to cultural events and other activities, such as flag hosting will also be limited to hosting the state flag and not any other flag apart from the state flag.

The government advocate submitted that the venue, Idigah maidan, at Chamarajpet, carries certain religious characteristics as well as certain orders passed by this court and apex court whereby the religious characteristic and nature was directed to be maintained.

It was submitted that State authorities are diligently considering all such applications, and if the petitioner organization confines its activities to celebrating Karnataka Rajyotsava and organizing cultural events from November 1, 2023, to November 3, 2023, the district administration and other relevant authorities will permit the organization to use the venue exclusively for these specific purposes.

Taking note of the submissions, the court disposed of the petition.

However, if there is any impediment, legal or otherwise, for such a celebration and event being organized at the Idga Maidan, the 2nd Respondent shall provide to the Petitioner – Society some other suitable ground as an alternative.

Appearance: Advocate Shridhar Prabhu for Petitioner.

Citation: 2023 LiveLaw (Kar) 416

Case Title: CHAMARAJPET NAGARIKAR OKKUTA ® AND State of Karnataka