Will you direct members to wear masks, maintain social distance at political rallies? Karnataka High Court to BJP, INC, other political parties

Are political parties willing to issue instructions to their members/followers to abide by rules regarding wearing of masks and social distancing at political parties and gatherings, the Karnataka High Court queried on Tuesday, seeking the response of BJP, Congress and other political parties in this regard..In its order, the court specifically observed that prima facie, it was the responsibility of all political parties to join hands with the State government to ensure that their members followed all guidelines on wearing masks and social distancing amid COVID-19 pandemic..A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice Vishwajit Shetty issued notice to BJP, CPI, JD(S), CPI(M), Indian National Congress and Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha after it noted that multiple political rallies were held by political parties flouting all social distancing norms. .The time has come for political parties to issue strict directions to its members, emphasized the court. .The court was hearing a plea alleging that the National Directives for COVID-19 Management, part of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) guidelines, were not being followed in Karnataka..When the matter was taken up for hearing on Tuesday, the court questioned the State government on the number of people that participated in the political rally headed by Member of Parliament and advocate Tejaswi Surya on September 30. .Government pleader Vikram Huilgol submitted that fines were collected from 25 people. Taking a dim view of the State's conduct, the court commented, ."On all these rallies, you have not placed anything on record....how many people participated? Looking at the photo, the gathering is not confined to 25 people. You have not conducted inquiry...".Further, advocate G R Mohan pointed out that the Supreme Court had, on Monday, come down heavily on MPs and MLAs organising political rallies. The top court also came down on the “unpreparedness of States” in properly dealing with the said issue, the High Court was told. .Fine of Rs 250 imposed and recovered from Tejasvi Surya for not wearing face mask: State tells Karnataka HC.The Bench was further apprised that certain Kannada organizations had called for a Bandh on December 5, in order to protest against State government’s decision to constitute Maratha Development Authority..The court noted that there was a possibility of violation of social distancing rules during the protests..Have you collected fines from MP Tejasvi Surya for not wearing mask: Karnataka HC asks State Govt .As the hearing came to an end, the Bench opined that the State ought to have shown its bona fide by collecting fines from all participants of political rallies, who had flouted social distancing rules. .Will not prosecute Tejasvi Surya, other political leaders for not wearing face masks at political rally: State Govt to Karnataka HC.The matter will be heard next on December 4.