Karnataka High Court permits Mysuru torchlight procession

The Karnataka High Court has granted permission to the Hindu Jagarana Vedike to conduct its ‘Akhanda Bharata Sankalpa Dina’ torchlight procession in Mysuru on the eve of Independence Day. The march is scheduled to take place on August 14, running from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM from the RMC Ganesha Temple to the Dodda Gadiyara Circle.

Justice Suraj Govindaraj rejected arguments from the State that the event should be blocked due to the criminal histories and pending chargesheets against some of the organizers. The Court ruled that the existence of criminal proceedings is not sufficient grounds to prevent individuals from participating in Independence Day celebrations. However, the Court emphasized that organizers will be held responsible for any untoward incidents and noted that the order does not include permission for a stage programme, which would require separate authorization.

Prior to the ruling, the Court had orally criticized the organization for allegedly displaying banners for the march before receiving official judicial permission.