Karnataka High Court pulls up State for allowing anti-Waqf law protests

The Karnataka High Court on Thursday pulled up the State government for allowing a protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act even when the Supreme Court is deciding its legality. .Justice M Nagaprasanna remarked that the government should not have granted permission for such protests.“State shall bear in mind that the matter is seized by the apex court qua the amendment to the Waqf Act and the protest of this kind should not be permitted,” the Court said. It ordered the Karnataka government to ensure roads are not blocked during such protests and that demonstrations are held only with permission and at designated spots. “The protest is said to be held on the amendment to the Waqf Act and the matter is seized by the apex court. In that light, only if the state has granted permission in accordance with law, such protest can take place but not at any point in time by blocking the roads and the protests shall be held where the permission is granted. If there is no permission, there is no protest,” the Court added..Justice Nagaprasanna made observations while dealing with a plea filed by Mangaluru resident Rajesh A, who challenged a communication issued by the Police Commissioner of the area. The communication directed private company buses and the State Road Transport Corporation not to operate on a stretch of National Highway 73 between 12 noon and 9 PM on Friday. The petitioner said that the advisory was issued because a protest was scheduled to be held in the area against the Waqf Amendment Act.The State government informed the Bench that the communication has been modified and the traffic will remain smooth but the authorities have advised the heavy and medium goods carrying vehicles to use alternative routes. The Court will hear the case next on April 23. .The plea was filed through advocates Hemanth R Rao and Leelesh Krishna.