- 1 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010605692026 NC: 2026:KHC:46735 WP No. 27096 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 28TH DAY OF AUGUST, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURAJ GOVINDARAJ WRIT PETITION NO. 27096 OF 2026 (GM-RES) BETWEEN: RASHTRIYA EDIGA MAHAMANDALI (R) OFFICE AT.1147, 3RD MAIN ROAD, K.N.BADAVANE, YESHWANTHAPURA, BENGALURU-560022 REPRESENTED BY ITS PRESIDENT MR.C.THIPPESWAMY S/O.CHANDRASHEKHAR.B, AGED ABOUT 39 YEARS …PETITIONER (BY SRI. VENKAT SATYANARAYANA A., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF SECRETARY, VIDHANA SOUDHA, BENGALURU 560001. 2. THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, KANNADA AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT OF KARNATAKA, BENGALURU 560001. 3. THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT KANNADA AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT OF KARNATAKA, BENGALURU 560001 4. THE DIRECTOR, KANNADA AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT OF KARNATAKA, Digitally signed by SHWETHA RAGHAVENDRA Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010605692026 NC: 2026:KHC:46735 WP No. 27096 of 2026 KANNADA BHAVANA, JAYACHAMARAJA ROAD, BENGALURU 560002 …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. SHAMANT NAIK., AGA) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO ISSUE A WRIT IN THE NATURE OF MANDAMUS DIRECTING THE RESPONDENT AUTHORITIES TO RESTORE/INCLUDE THE NAME OF SRI SRI SRI DR. PRANAVANANDA SWAMIJI AMONGST THE SWAMIJIS INVITED TO THE GOVERNMENT-ORGANISED 172ND JAYANTHI CELEBRATION OF SRI NARAYANA GURU HELD ON 28.08.2026 AND PERMIT THE SWAMIJI TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SAID PROGRAMME ALONG WITH THE OTHER SIMILARLY SITUATED SWAMIJIS BY CONSIDERING THE REPRESENTATIONS DATED 27.08.2026 VIDE ANNEXURE-H AND J AND ETC. THIS WRIT PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURAJ GOVINDARAJ ORAL ORDER 1. Learned AGA accepts notice for respondents no.1 to 4. 2. The petitioner is before this Court seeking for the following reliefs; a) Issue a writ in the nature of Mandamus directing the Respondent authorities to restore/include the name of Sri Sri Sri Dr. Pranavananda Swamiji amongst the Swamijis invited to the Government- organised 172nd Jayanthi celebration of Sri Narayana Guru held on 28.08.2026 and permit the Swamiji to participate in the said programme along with the other similarly situated Swamijis by - 3 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010605692026 NC: 2026:KHC:46735 WP No. 27096 of 2026 considering the representations dated 27.08.2026 vide Annexure-H and J; b) Issue a writ, order or direction directing the Respondents to disclose the reasons, records and decision-making material pursuant to which the Swamiji's name was initially included and subsequently deleted from the official invitation; c) Declare that the action of the Respondents in suddenly deleting the Petitioner's name without assigning any lawful, rational and relevant reason is arbitrary, discriminatory and violative of Article 14 of the Constitution of India; d) Direct the Respondents to ensure that the Petitioner is not subjected to any discrimination or unequal treatment in connection with the said Government programme; e) Pass such other order or direction as this Hon'ble Court may deem fit in the circumstances of the case, in the interest of justice, equity and good administration f) Grant such other and further reliefs as this Hon'ble Court may deem fit and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case, in the interest of justice and equity. 3. By way of the above writ petition, the petitioner is seeking for mandamus directing the respondent - State to invite a particular Swamiji to a programme to be conducted on 28.08.2026. 4. This Court while exercising its powers of mandamus cannot direct who the State has to invite to a particular function. That is left to the discretion of the State. - 4 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010605692026 NC: 2026:KHC:46735 WP No. 27096 of 2026 5. Though also this Court would have to observe that the present petition is not one in a private lis but in a public lis. If the petitioner so chooses, he can also file a public interest litigation. 6. In that view of the matter, the Writ Petition stands disposed. SD/- (SURAJ GOVINDARAJ) JUDGE PRS List No.: 4 Sl No.: 1