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The Karnataka High Court has recently held that students, teachers and staff members will have to get vaccinated before attending colleges. The government order to this effect cannot be interfered with, the court has said.

The court on Saturday refused to interfere with the government order, permitting only those students, teachers and staff members who have been vaccinated to attend colleges. 

"We are of the considered view that no students, teacher or staff who has not received vaccination be permitted to attend the colleges where the students gather in large number and risk them. As such no direction can be issued to permit such students, teachers or other staff who have not received at least one dose of covid-19 vaccine to attend the colleges", a division bench of Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi and Justice Sachin Shankar Magadum said, in its order. 

These observations of the court came in while hearing a plea filed by Dr Srinivasa B Kakkilaya. 

The petition contended that all those students who have medical issues may not be compelled to undergo vaccination and be permitted to attend the colleges." 

"You have no right to say you will not get vaccinated", the court said during the hearing.

While doing so, the court also disposed of a batch of other petitions which highlighyed the pitiable condition of covid-19 treatment in the state such as hospital infrastructure, availability of beds and vaccination for the disabled.

"On account of cases of Covid-19 reducing over a period of months in Karnataka. We, therefore dispose of the writ petitions with the observation that liberty is given to the petitioners, to file fresh petitions if the situation demands."

The petitions were filed by Mohammed Arif Jameel and others were filed in the year 2020 during the first wave of the pandemic. 

However, the court also directed that Covid Appropriate Behaviour should be followed and proper social distancing and masks shall be worn at public places. 

Cause Title: Mohammed Arif Jammel vs Union of India