Bengaluru, 28 Oct

In a setback for the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government, the Karnataka High Court on Tuesday stayed the State's recent directive mandating prior permission for private organisations to conduct activities on government premises.

The government had issued the order on 18 October, requiring private organisations, associations, and groups to seek approval before usinggovernment property or public spaces for their activities.

While the government order does not specifically name RSS, the provisions of the order are said to be aimed at impacting the activities of the Hindu right wing organisation, including its route marches.

The order was based on a recent Cabinet decision, prompted by Panchayat Raj and IT/BT Minister Priyank Kharge's letter to Chief MinisterSiddaramaiah seeking a ban on RSS' activities in public places.

The Opposition BJP had also criticised the move, alleging that it was intended to curb the programmes and marches of the RSS.