Union Govt's intervention in verdict over religious rituals in court sought

February 12, 2011

Mangalore, February 12: Condemning a judgement of Gujarat High Court which on Thursday dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that had challenged performance of religious rituals in the court campus, activists of Saamvidhanika Chaluvali have urged the Union Government to intervene.

While dismissing the PIL, the High Court also slapped a penalty of Rs 20,000 on the petitioner, Rajesh Solanki, a Dalit activist. The court raised doubts over bonafide intentions of the petitioner.

Rajesh Solanki had filed the PIL questioning performance of Hindu religious rituals on the high court campus on the ground that a public place should maintain its secular credentials in a secular country.

The petition claimed that the court campus was a secular place and religious rituals - Bhoomi-pujan followed by a prayer and chanting of shlokas - should not be permitted, else the judiciary would lose its secular credentials in the public eye. The petitioner had sought the performance of rituals be declared as unconstitutional by the high court.

The Division Bench comprising Justices Jayant Patel and J C Upadhyay passed the judgment and observed that 'secularism' is not 'anti-God.'

The Chaluvali noted that with this judgement superstitions and partiality will convert into national values.

The Chaluvali has urged the Centre to file an appeal before the Supreme Court against the judgement.

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Will end Karnataka leadership confusion after talks with top leaders: Kharge

News Network

November 27,2025

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday announced that he will convene a high-level meeting in New Delhi with senior leaders — including Rahul Gandhi, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar — to resolve the escalating leadership turmoil in Karnataka and “put an end to the confusion.”

Kharge said the discussions would focus on the way forward for the ruling party, as rumours of a possible leadership change continue to swirl. The speculation has intensified after the Congress government crossed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, reviving talk of an alleged 2023 “power-sharing agreement” between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar.

“After reaching Delhi, I will call three or four important leaders and hold discussions. Once we talk, we will decide how to move ahead and end this confusion,” Kharge told reporters in Bengaluru, according to PTI.

When asked specifically about calling Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar to Delhi, he responded: “Certainly, we should call them. We will discuss with them and settle the issue.”

He confirmed that Rahul Gandhi, the Chief Minister, the Deputy Chief Minister and other senior members would be part of the deliberations. “After discussing with everyone, a decision will be made,” he said.

Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah held a separate strategy meeting at his Bengaluru residence with ministers and leaders seen as his close confidants, including G. Parameshwara, Satish Jarkiholi, H.C. Mahadevappa, K. Venkatesh and K.N. Rajanna.
Signalling calm, the Chief Minister told reporters, “Will go to Delhi if the high command calls.”

Shivakumar echoed a similar stance, saying he too would head to the national capital if summoned by the party leadership.

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