126. Curfew (Indian Penal Code - IPC 144) imposed

What is Unlawful assembly and Curfew

Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) of 1973 empowers an executive magistrate to prohibit an assembly of more than four persons in an area . According to Sections 141-149 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the maximum punishment for engaging in rioting is rigorous imprisonment for 3 years and/or fine. Every member of an unlawful assembly can be held responsible for a crime committed by the group. Obstructing an officer trying to disperse an unlawful assembly may attract further punishment.

These sections cannot be imposed on private property and is only applicable to public places.

Illegal Curfew (IPC 144) Imposed - Right to life denied

The most draconian imposition of force was the slapping of the Section IPC 144 on the entire Bengaluru Aadheenam and its residents. It meant: not more than four residents could even stand and talk to each other anywhere! This imposition included not assembling for daily puja (ritualistic worship) inside their own temple on their own private property. The fundamental human rights of the residents to practice their religion and live freely was denied.

The residents were stunned by the 144 ruling…

Ma Nithya Bhaktikananda Swami recalls, "It took at least 48 hours for all the residents to understand the strange ruling in place. It literally meant, a family of five could not sit together and talk in their own house! Firstly, for the residents, it was not an instruction from "Swamiji", so they did not take it seriously. We had to explain to them that it was a rule imposed by the State of Karnataka and it had to be followed. They were stunned. A dozen questions were asked about the ruling and its basis. When we

explained to them that the whole thing was being illegally done, they were felt so suffocated and pained. For a community that "lived" in congregation, the ruling was like snatching away the source of life itself. They kept asking us what harm their innocent congregation would do to anyone. There was only one answer to ALL their questions: 'Everything is being done illegally to us'. No other answer."

Right to movement of people and materials - denied

Right to movement of people and materials, in or out of the ashram was denied leaving the residents resourceless and hopeless for basic food and living necessities.

Children abused and harassed by the State Police

They probed, harrassed and interrogated the residents including the children studying in the Gurukul (temple school).