Kerala HC: Lockdown Restrictions also Applicable to Political Parties & Associations

A Chief Justice led division bench of the Kerala High Court has clarified that the directives issued by the Centre and the State Governments restricting social gatherings in view of the Covid-19 pandemic, are equally applicable to political parties and associations. Therefore, it held that the political parties should not hold dharna, processions, demonstrations, etc. as such gatherings are also likely to be infected with the disease. The direction has come in a writ petition seeking de-recognition of certain political parties in the state of Kerala, for violating the lockdown restrictions and conducting dharna, processions, demonstrations, etc., thus increasing the risk of more positive Covid-19 cases.