1. High Court Halts Karnataka Government Order on Public Property Use
In a significant move on October 28, 2025, the High Court of Karnataka issued a stay on the State government’s recent directive that restricted the use of public spaces such as roads, parks, and playgrounds by private organizations without prior permission for gatherings of ten or more people. The Court, presided over by Justice M. Nagaprasanna, declared that this restriction appeared to violate Article 13(2) of the Constitution of India. This interim order came in response to a petition filed by various non-government organizations and individuals from Hubballi and Dharwad, with the Dharwad Bench. The court also froze all subsequent government orders, notifications, or circulars related to the original restriction.
2. Chittapur RSS Route March: Peace Talks Collapse Amid Disagreement
The contention surrounding the proposed Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) route march in Chittapur intensified after a peace meeting, organized by the Kalaburagi district administration, ended in discord. During the discussions, the RSS delegation reportedly rejected demands from other participating groups to substitute traditional lathis with national flags and copies of the Constitution’s Preamble for their centenary march. The meeting, chaired by Deputy Commissioner Fouzia Taranum, included representatives from ten organizations. Following the breakdown of talks, protestors voiced strong opposition to the RSS and its ‘divisive politics,’ leading police to escort RSS representatives safely away from the Deputy Commissioner’s office.
3. Bengaluru’s J.C. Road White-Topping Project Faces Delays as Deadline Looms
With the October 31 deadline fast approaching, the white-topping project on Bengaluru’s crucial J.C. Road remains far from completion. Significant sections of the road are still dug up, causing traffic congestion and drawing frustration from local traders who report severe impacts on their businesses. Officials are anticipated to request yet another extension, citing technical difficulties. Residents and businesses along the route have endured months of disrupted commutes due to extensive excavations that they claim are often poorly managed or barricaded. The resulting uneven surfaces and open ditches have made travel challenging and significantly hampered commerce for the many automobile spare parts and accessory shops in the area.
4. Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge and Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Continue Social Media Exchange
The public social media debate between Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Karnataka IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge showed no signs of abating on October 28, 2025. Minister Kharge labeled Mr. Sarma’s recent remarks as ‘politically rabid,’ continuing a heated exchange that initially sparked over the ideal location for semiconductor companies. The disagreement has since evolved, taking various unexpected turns. Kharge’s sharp retort came after Sarma reportedly called him ‘a first-class idiot’ in comments to the media, with Kharge citing a March 2024 post by Sarma himself that acknowledged the training of thousands of Assamese individuals in Bengaluru.