By Kavita Mistry 
The Karnataka High Court criticised the state government for allowing a protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, despite the issue being under consideration by the Supreme Court.
Justice M Nagaprasanna on Thursday said the protest should not have been permitted while the matter was pending before the apex court.
“The state shall bear in mind that the matter is seized by the apex court qua the amendment to the Waqf Act, and a protest of this kind should not be permitted,” the judge observed.
The court directed the government to ensure that public roads are not obstructed by such events, stressing that protests must take place only at designated locations and with official permission.
“If there is no permission, there is no protest,” the court said.
The remarks came during the hearing of a petition filed by Rajesh A, a resident of Mangaluru, challenging a directive from the city’s Police Commissioner. The communication had asked both private bus operators and the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation not to operate services along a section of National Highway 73 from noon to 9 pm on Friday, in view of the protest.
The petitioner argued that the advisory had caused undue disruption to public transport. He was represented by advocates Hemanth R Rao and Leelesh Krishna.
In its response, the state government informed the court that the earlier directive had been revised and normal traffic would be maintained.
However, authorities advised heavy and medium commercial vehicles to use alternative routes as a precautionary measure.
The matter is scheduled for further hearing on April 23.