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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday, September 13, protested in Karnataka’s T Narsipur over alleged curbs on a Ganesha procession, even as the district police said there was no restriction on the route or the festival.
The protest was held after T Narsipur Police Inspector Dhananjaya warned Ganesha procession organisers against bursting crackers in front of a mosque on Link Road, reports said. The BJP interpreted the remarks as restrictions on the procession and demanded the inspector’s suspension.
Leader of Opposition R Ashoka, Mysuru-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, MLA TS Srivatsa, former MP Pratap Simha and other BJP leaders joined the protest. Ashoka carried a Ganesha idol and led a march along the Link Road. The BJP leaders were later detained by the police and subsequently released.
However, Mysuru Superintendent of Police Mallikarjuna Baladandi said there was no restriction on Ganesha processions in T Narsipur and that organisers could follow the traditional routes used in previous years. The town has around 15 to 20 Ganesha pandals every year, with processions held on different days, he said.
SP Mallikarjuna said the inspector’s remarks were made during a peace meeting held on September 7. Organisers had been asked to inform the police about the dates of immersion and the routes of their processions so that adequate security arrangements could be made.
The SP said a Ganesha group had taken out a procession last year without informing the police. Since the police were not aware of the procession, security arrangements could not be made, even though the procession passed by a mosque. The inspector’s warning was therefore meant to ensure that organisers did not take out processions without informing the police, SP Mallikarjuna said.
SP Mallikarjuna also said the inspector had not prohibited processions from passing along Link Road or imposed a ban on celebrations near the mosque. He said the traditional routes remained open this year.
He further said the inspector’s statement had been presented in a “different” manner on social media, leading to confusion. Police officials have since been instructed against making statements that could create confusion among the public.
Despite the clarification, BJP leaders accused the Congress government of imposing restrictions on Ganesha celebrations. Ashoka alleged that restrictions were being placed on procession routes, loudspeakers and celebrations near mosques.
“This is not just a Mysuru issue; this is happening across Karnataka,” Ashoka said, accusing the state government of adopting a one-sided approach.
Ashoka also said the Ganesha festival should not be turned into a “police festival”. BJP leaders said they had sought immediate action against Dhananjaya after meeting senior police officials but were not given an assurance that he would be suspended.
The protest also led to a counter-protest by Dalit organisations, which accused Pratap Simha of making allegedly inflammatory remarks and attempting to foment communal tension. Dalit activists gathered near the police station carrying Jai Bheem flags and raised slogans against Simha before being dispersed by the police.
Chief Minister DK Shivakumar accused the BJP of attempting to disturb communal peace and said the government had directed the police to remain alert. He said Ganesha festivities should be celebrated peacefully and that discipline and safety precautions should be maintained during processions.
The police have since increased security in T Narsipur in view of the protests. SP Mallikarjuna visited the town to review the arrangements and said additional forces had been deployed to maintain law and order.
