Karnataka Students Challenge Rs 10 Lakh Protest Bond in High Court
The Akhila Karnataka Students' Association (AKSA) has taken legal action by approaching the Kalaburagi bench of the Karnataka High Court. This move comes after the city police demanded that the association furnish a substantial Rs 10 lakh bond as a precondition for holding a planned protest. The protest aims to highlight the urgent need for filling numerous vacant posts across various state government departments.
Police Notice and Legal Challenge
In a notice issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), the association was required to ensure that the proposed protest would not cause any inconvenience to the general public. Describing this financial demand as unexpected and unreasonable, the student body formally challenged it before the high court on Monday, March 23.
According to AKSA president Kanta Kumar, the association had initially sought permission on March 17 to organize a protest march scheduled for March 26. The march was planned to proceed from Jagat Circle to the deputy commissioner's office, with an anticipated participation of around 500 unemployed students. The police had even collected the prescribed fee for using loudspeakers during the event.
Permission Denied and Police Concerns
However, permission for the protest was abruptly denied on the evening of March 22. Police authorities cited law and order concerns as the primary reason for this decision. A report from the Station Bazaar police station referenced a recent protest in Dharwad where a large gathering of students allegedly resulted in damage to public property. Fearing a similar situation, the DCP (law & order) issued the notice to the office-bearers of AKSA.
Kanta Kumar strongly condemned this move, asserting that the right to protest is a fundamental democratic right and alleging that it is being unjustly curtailed. He confirmed that a writ petition was filed on Monday before the Kalaburagi bench, seeking permission for the protest to proceed. The matter is expected to come up for hearing on March 24.
Political Reactions and Broader Implications
In a related development, leaders of the association met with retired IPS officer Bhaskar Rao at the BJP office on Monday to discuss the issue. Rao expressed his opinion that the protest could have been allowed with reasonable conditions instead of imposing such a hefty financial burden. He alleged that the police were acting under pressure from the state government.
"Those asking unemployed youth to furnish a Rs 10 lakh bond must consider whether they even have such income. Everything should not be politicized," Rao stated, highlighting the economic challenges faced by the students. This case raises significant questions about the balance between maintaining public order and upholding constitutional rights to peaceful assembly and protest.
The outcome of the high court hearing could set a precedent for how similar situations are handled in the future, particularly concerning student-led demonstrations on issues of public employment and governance.
