BENGALURU: In a big relief for organisers, the Karnataka high court on Wednesday granted permission for holding annual Bangalore Karaga festival and also the customary Karaga procession on Saturday.
"We deem it just and appropriate to modify the order dated March 3, 2022 and permit the celebration of Karaga Mahotsava, popularly known as Bangalore Karaga on April 16, 2022, after ensuring that the said procession shall not cause hindrance to the traffic. Interim order dated March 3, 2022 is modified making it clear that remaining conditions of the said order shall remain in force till next date of hearing," a division bench, headed by Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, observed in its order.
The order came to be passed while allowing the interlocutory application( IA) filed by Sri Dharmaraya Swamy Devalaya Vyavasthapaka Samithi, the organisers of this annual event.
In their IA, the organizers had contended that Karaga festival is one of the oldest festivals which symbolises the Hindu-Muslim unity and has been being celebrated for over 300 years.
According to them, the March 3, 2022 interim order of the court is coming in the way of conducting nightlong annual Karaga procession held on the full moon night abd hence the said interim order requires it to be modified to that extent for the present year.
It may be recalled that on March 3, 2023 while acting on a suo motu PIL, the court had directed the state government to ensure that no protests, meetings or processions are held in Bengaluru city by any group (political or non political) and organisations etc except in the place known as Freedom Park.
The court had also added that the authorities have to ensure that traffic does not adversely affect the city, especially during the peak hour. The state government was told to ensure the implementation of this order forthwith.
