Karnataka High Court quashes Dharwad District administration’s order restricting entry of Kadusiddes
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has set aside the Dharwad District Magistrate’s order that had barred Adrushya Kadusiddeshwara Swamiji of Kaneri Math, Kolhapur (Maharashtra), from entering Dharwad district until January 3, 2026.
The order, issued by the Dharwad Deputy Commissioner on November 4, was challenged by the Swamiji. Justice M. Nagaprasanna, presiding over a single-judge Bench, allowed the petition and struck down the prohibition.
The court observed that the district administration’s entry-ban order did not satisfy the constitutional and legal standards laid down by the Supreme Court. It noted that the restriction had been imposed merely on suspicion, without the government furnishing any concrete reasons.
The judge also recorded the undertaking made on behalf of the petitioner that the Swamiji would act responsibly and not violate any law. Accordingly, the court not only annulled the November 4 order but also invalidated all actions taken or likely to be taken under it.
Appearing for the Swamiji, advocate Venkatesh Dalavai argued that the government had issued the restriction under Section 163(4) of the Bharatiya Nagarika Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) without even issuing a show-cause notice. The programme scheduled in Dharwad had already concluded on November 7, he pointed out, questioning the rationale behind extending the ban until January 2026. He contended that the order lacked any valid or stated grounds, making it arbitrary and mala fide.
Counsel for the State submitted that the Deputy Commissioner had acted on a report from the Superintendent of Police. They claimed the Swamiji did not have adequate control over his speech, and that the restriction had been imposed as a precautionary step. The government argued that even the Supreme Court had not granted any relief earlier and maintained that the Swamiji’s actions were likely to disturb public sentiments.
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Withdraw 'disrespectful' remark against Rahul Gandhi and apologise: Pilot asks Rijiju
Mumbai (PTI): Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Thursday hit out at Union minister Kiren Rijiju for passing a "disrespectful and inappropriate" remark against Rahul Gandhi, and asked him to apologise for it.
He was answering a query regarding Rijiju's reported statement in which he described Gandhi as the "most dangerous person" for India's security, and a purported video of a man claiming to be from Karni Sena issuing death threats to the Congress leader.
Addressing a press conference here, Pilot said, "When ordinary journalists criticise the government, they face FIRs and jail. But when threats are issued against the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha (Rahul Gandhi), there is silence. This shows the government's intention. LoP is a constitutional position. To describe him as a security threat is inappropriate and disrespectful. Even as such open threats are being made, the government is not taking any action."
"The statement 9against Gandhi) should be withdrawn and an apology should be issued," the Congress general secretary said, adding that it is the job of the LoP to seek accountability from the government and ask questions.
To a query on the plane crash in which Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was killed on January 28, Pilot said, "I do not want to speculate. There should be a transparent, time-bound inquiry. If there are doubts, a high-level investigation should clarify facts."
When asked about the demand for leadership change in the opposition INDIA bloc, he said, "Leadership decisions are internal matters. The alliance worked remarkably well in the last Lok Sabha election. The gap in numbers between the INDIA bloc and the NDA was not very wide. We are working together strongly and will continue to do so."
The Congress has been helming the INDIA bloc, a coalition of Opposition parties formed before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections to counter the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). However, voices from disgruntled Congress members and those associated with the UPA dispensation suggested that the leadership of the opposition alliance should be given to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee or Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin.
On Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Indian economy, Pilot said, "India is a major IT power. We have talent and capability. Many countries see India as a natural partner. But we must use our strengths wisely and not compromise our sovereignty under pressure."
"India should have the freedom to decide where to buy oil from. That is a sovereign decision," Pilot said.
On the issue of illegal migration, he said anybody staying illegally in India should be removed regardless of religion or caste.
"But this issue should not be politicised. If the border has been under control for 11 years, how did illegal immigrants enter? The government should provide data on how many people have been deported," he said.
"This government's intent and policies are anti-farmer and there is no accountability. The opposition will continue to demand answers from the government and stand with farmers and the people of India," he said.
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