Karnataka HC Calls BJP’s Affidavit Claiming it Has Not Conducted Rally During COVID ‘False’

Following this, the counsel for the BJP informed the court that he would like to withdraw the affidavit and file a fresh one.

New Delhi: The Karnataka high court on Wednesday called the Bharatiya Janata Party’s statement ‘false’ when the party in its affidavit filed before the court said that it has not conducted any public rally during the COVID-19 pandemic times, LiveLaw reported.

This happened after the court warned that there will be action for perjury for making a false statement in the affidavit, the report added.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Abhay S. Oka told the counsel representing the BJP: “A very bold statement to make that this party has not conducted any road shows or gatherings. This is false. You better correct yourself. There are photographs of the events.”

“You (counsel for BJP) better take instruction or else this will be a false statement on oath. Not a single road show or gathering or public rally was held by you? Are you very serious about this statement?” Chief Justice Oka asked, as per the report.

Also read: Where in India’s COVID-19 Response Is the Moral Compass That Guides Governance?

Following this, the counsel for the BJP informed the court that he would like to withdraw the affidavit and file a fresh one.

The bench was hearing a petition filed by an NGO ‘LetzKits Foundation’, which sought action against political parties which held public gatherings in violation of COVID-19 guidelines of wearing of face masks and maintaining social distancing.

The bench also directed the Karnataka government to inform the court if any action has been taken against the violators of the COVID protocols in a Bengaluru rally, demanding reservation for a particular class of society, on February 21, 2021.

The matter will next be heard on March 12.

The Karnataka high court bench also asked political parties to instruct their members to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, LiveLaw has reported.

In its affidavit, the state government said that it never intended to prosecute or imprison persons who were violating COVID-19 norms under the Karnataka Epidemic Diseases Act. It added that a fine of Rs 250/100 would suffice for such offences.

Also read: The Thin Silver Lining of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The LiveLaw report further said that an ordinance will soon be issued amending the existing provisions of the Act, to ensure that the state governments’ policy is accurately reflected in the legal provisions.

Politicians defy COVID protocols

In November last year, the Karnataka high court had asked the state government whether it will take action against member of parliament Tejasvi Surya and other political leaders who have violated COVID-19 norms by not wearing face masks during political rallies.

During the election rallies in Bihar, the first state to go to polls in the middle of the pandemic, the Election Commission had warned political parties of action over violation COVID protocols during campaigning. The large gatherings were being addressed by RJD leader Tejashwi Pratap Yadav and former deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Bihar election rally drew thousands of supporters ignoring social distancing rules.

During the launch of fourth phase of Poribortan Yatra, ahead of the West Bengal assembly polls, a huge gathering of BJP supporters, who were standing shoulder-to-shoulder,  is seen in Cooch Behar. Home minister Amit Shah addressed that rally.

In chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s Hooghly rally, a large gathering came to listen to her, without following social distancing norms.

Politicians continued to defy COVID protocols despite evidence by scientists and researchers that large gatherings cause rapid spread of the virus.