Karnataka reissues 2013 order restricting govt school use, seen as curb on RSS activities
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Bengaluru: The Congress-led Karnataka government has reissued an old circular originally dated February 7, 2013, which prohibits the use of government school premises for private or non-academic purposes. The move, seen as a precursor to curbing Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activities in schools, follows a recent request from Minister for RDPR, IT, and BT Priyank Kharge seeking a ban on RSS events in public educational institutions.
The circular, issued by the Commissioner of the Karnataka Public Instruction Department and signed by then Commissioner S.R. Umashankar, states that school grounds and premises should only be used by students for daily academic and physical education activities. It further directs that no permissions should be granted or proposals forwarded for activities unrelated to educational purposes.
Sources in the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) confirmed that the decision to reissue the circular was due to Priyank Kharge’s letter urging action against RSS programs in public spaces, including schools and colleges. The reissued order, they said, would provide the legal basis to implement such restrictions statewide.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has reportedly asked Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh to examine the demand for banning RSS activities in public institutions and to study similar measures taken in Tamil Nadu.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Home Minister G. Parameshwara clarified that while the issue was not part of the scheduled cabinet meeting agenda, it could be taken up as an additional item. “There is already a rule against allowing private or religious activities in government spaces. This is not new, but it has not been strictly enforced. We will see what decision is taken if the matter comes up in the cabinet,” he said.
Officials indicated that the cabinet may discuss the matter later in the day to decide on the next steps for implementing the restriction across the state.
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Karnataka govt directs municipal corps to regulate, prohibit pigeon feeding
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
