Karnataka High Court Permits Proposed Basavakalyan Hindu Convention But Says Seer Adrushya Kadeshwara Swami Can't Give Speech

The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday (June 25) granted permission to conduct a convention organised by 'Basavadi Shiva Sharana Bruhat Hindu Samavesha' scheduled for June 28 with a specific prohibition on the invitee Kaneri Mutt seer Sri Adrushya Kadeshwara Swamiji delivering any speech during the event.

The single judge bench of Justice S.R Krishnakumar, sitting at Kalaburagi, added further that there should be a cap on the number of attendees set at 2500, while staying the Basavakalyan Tehsildar's endorsement dated June 11 that denied permission for the event.

“…The petitioner is permitted to conduct the event/programme on 28.06.2026 as sought for by the petitioner and the aforesaid Sri Adrushya Kadeshwara Swamiji of Kanneri Math shall be permitted to physically attend and participate in the said event/ programme subject to conditions….  The said Swamiji would be entitled to physically attend and participate in the event but shall not speak or give any speech either by himself or through anyone else at the event/programme on 28.06.2026….The programme be conducted peacefully for a gathering of up to 2,500 persons, and that no procession shall be permitted, keeping in mind the limited police force available”, the court said in its order.

Though permission has been granted for the event, the court has expressly stipulated that no procession should take place afterwards. In the set of conditions, the court has also unequivocally laid down that no one shall make any hate speech, statement or do any act that could endanger law and order during the programme. Additionally, 'no abusive language, shouting, or insult to any political figure, religious leader, or religious or ethnic group shall be permitted during the programme by anyone', and any breach of the conditions would make the organisers liable, the court said.

The plea preferred by the President of the Samavesha Utasava Sammitti challenged the Tehsildar's refusal to allow the convention and procession due to be held on 28 June at Akkamahadevi College premises or Basaveshwara ITI Auditorium. Earlier, in the June 11 order, the state denied permission for the event by citing the guest Swamiji's history of allegedly using 'derogatory, insulting and provocative expressions' against Lingayat community and Basava followers which had earlier resulted in protests and objections from various organisations including the Karnataka Lingayath Mathadhipatigala, Okkoota and Basavanpura Association.

Before the High Court, Advocate General Shashikiran Shetty pointed out the probability of law-and-order issues since the seer's arrival and speech could trigger rival religious communities. The AG also contended that there exists an interim injunction restraining the seer from making any defamatory statements against Lingayat communities.

As per the court's direction on June 18, the petitioner organisation and the pontiff of Kanneri Math filed separate affidavits ensuring that they would take the necessary precautions to avoid any law-and-order issues and conduct the procession peacefully.

After taking all the affidavits on record, the single judge bench deemed it fit to grant permission for the event alone since the undertakings given by the Hindu Samavesha and the seer addressed the apprehensions raised by the respondent state authorities.

“Having regard to the facts and circumstances… the conditions imposed upon the said Swamiji who has unconditionally and categorically undertaken not to give any speech either through himself or through anyone else, the apprehension of the respondents in this regard for the purpose of passing the impugned order has clearly been allayed as borne out from the material on record and as such, I am of the prima facie view that the impugned order deserves to be stayed and the petitioner be permitted to conduct the programme/event on 28.06.2026….” the Court observed, while granting permission for the event.

The matter will be taken up next on July 1, 2026.

Case Title: MR GUNDUREDDY KAMALAPURE @ GUNDAPPA REDDY v. State of Karnataka & Ors.

Case No: WP 202247/2026

Click Here To Read/ Download Order