Bengaluru, Oct. 29 -- The Karnataka high court on Tuesday stayed the state government from enforcing its controversial order restricting gatherings of more than 10 people in public or government-owned spaces, including parks, playgrounds, and roads. This government order (GO) was "prima facie, a clear violation of citizens' fundamental rights" guaranteed under the Constitution and could not be allowed to continue to operate, said justice M Nagaprasanna of the high court's Dharawad bench. Meanwhile, chief minister Siddaramaiah said he has directed officials to file an appeal against the single judge bench's stay. "I have asked the officials to file an appeal before the division bench. The Dharwad bench (of HC) has given a stay order. We will appeal against this order". The court made it clear that the government could not bypass legislative processes to impose restrictions through administrative orders and stayed the order's operation as an interim measure. The state government has been told to file its response to the petition. The bench is expected to take up the case next on November 17. Justice Nagaprasanna said that the state government was perhaps "trying to achieve something else" through such an order. Justice Nagaprasanna said the executive order encroached on an area already covered by Karnataka Police Act. The GO this month introduced a sweeping set of regulatory measures aimed at tightening control over the use of public and government-owned spaces, amid a continuing row between the Siddharamaiah-led Congress government and the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) and would require the group to seek government approvals for its route marches and meetings. The government order, issued on October 18, by the state's home department, declared that any congregation of 10 or more people in public places -- including parks, playgrounds, lakes, other water bodies and roads -- will be treated as an "unlawful assembly" punishable under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). At the time, the government said the directive was aimed at preventing "trespass" in public premises. The order closely followed the IT minister Priyank Kharge's demand seeking a prohibition on RSS events on government and public property....