BHEL Management To Hold Kannada Rajyotsava Celebration At Bengaluru On Nov 1, Karnataka High Court Closes Plea By Employee Association

The Karnataka High Court on Thursday disposed of a plea by Karnataka Sangha of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), an employees association seeking a direction to BHEL's Management to grant the petitioner permission to conduct the 69th Kannada Rajyotsava function at the BHEL Bengaluru premises.

Justice Suraj Govindaraj disposed of the petition after the management submitted that it would be holding the Karnataka Rajyotsava celebrations by itself at the Bengaluru premises on November 1.

The counsel for the petitioner contended that it was a newly elected body and alleged that BHEL's management was siding with the rival sangha (association) and denying the petitioner permission to hold the celebrations.

To which the bench said “It is Kannada Rajyotsava Celebrations. Who celebrates it is not the question. Management itself is celebrating. Who are you to have a problem with?”

In its order the bench recorded “Respondents have categorically stated that there being two rival Sangha's (Associations) that wanted to conduct the celebrations the management has decided to conduct the 69th Kannada Rajyotsava Function by itself without any of the Sangha's or associations conducting such celebration.”

“When the management itself has come forward to conduct the celebration any and every employee of BHEL would be entitled to participate in the said function. So long as the function is organised to celebrate Rajyotsava of the state. In my considered opinion it would not matter as to which association or sangha conducts the celebrations, it said.

The court said “In this particular matter the management conducting the celebration the petitioner cannot have any grievance nor can the petitioner contend that it would want to conduct the said celebration itself.”

Noting that the submissions of BHEL management that it will hold the Rajyotsava celebration on November 1, "where each and every employee of the organisation and their family members can participate", the court disposed of the petition.

Appearance: Advocate Arun Nachappa K K for Petitioner.

Advocate Umesh N for R1, R2.

Citation No: 2025 LiveLaw (Kar) 366

Case Title: Karnataka Sangha AND The Chief Administrator & ANR

Case No: WP 32440/2025.