Political parties don't follow COVID norms, wear masks while holding rallies: Karnataka High Court

Political parties don't follow COVID norms, adhere to social distancing or wear masks while holding rallies, the Karnataka High Court lamented on Thursday..A Bench of Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice SS Magadum also expressed strong displeasure over the fact none of the political parties except the Communist Party of India (Marxist) came on record to inform the Court about the social distancing guidelines issued by the party to its members.."Political parties don't follow norms, don't wear masks, and go for rallies. Only one political party came forward,” the Bench remarked..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..The Court cautioned that if political parties do not respond to the Court's notice in the case, then it would be forced to issue appropriate directions..Earlier, in November 2020, the Court had 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 social distancing norms..When the matter was taken up for hearing on Thursday, the State government informed the Court that the organisers of the tractor rally held on January 26, paid a fine of Rs 10,000..The tractor rally, which was held after the Republic day parade, was attended by farmers from Karnataka, expressing solidarity with the farmers protesting in Delhi against the Farm Laws..During the previous hearing the Court had sought details of action taken under the Disaster Management Act against organizers and participants of the rally..Further, advocate GR Mohan also informed the Court that about 1,052 Covid-19 cases were reported from a single apartment complex. “They are conducting parties every day in their basement. Cases are increasing.....Let BBMP look into this,” suggested Mohan..“There are several residential complexes in the city of Bengaluru. Will any law permit BBMP to enter residential premises,” the Court queried. .The counsel for appearing for BBMP told the Court that the Chief Commissioner of BBMP had held a video conference meeting with 269 residents welfare associations directing them to follow the State issued SOPs religiously.