Ganesha procession: Karnataka BJP protests cracker ban near mosques

T. Narsipur/Karnataka: Police instruction to not burst crackers in front of mosques during a Ganesha procession triggered tension in Karnataka’s T. Narsipur town on Sunday, with BJP leaders and supporters protesting against the move and Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar accusing the party of attempting to disturb communal peace, according to Maktoob Media.

The controversy erupted after Town Police Inspector Dhananjaya reportedly warned organisers against bursting crackers in front of a mosque on Link Road during the procession. The reported remarks sparked strong opposition from the BJP, with former MP Pratap Simha reportedly threatening to storm the police station in protest.

Karnataka Assembly Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka alleged that police had threatened Ganesha Chaturthi organisers and directed them not to approach mosques, take out processions, burst crackers or raise slogans. He accused the state government of adopting a one-sided approach and sharply criticised its handling of the issue.

The BJP protest was met with a counter-protest by Dalit organisations, whose activists accused Simha of making inflammatory remarks and attempting to foment communal tension. When Ashoka, Mysuru MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, Simha, MLA Srivatsa and BJP leader Sachidananda arrived in T. Narsipur, Dalit activists carrying Jai Bheem flags and wearing blue shawls gathered near the police station. Police dispersed the protesters.

BJP supporters later gathered in the town and raised slogans in support of Simha and against the police. Several BJP leaders, including Ashoka, were arrested and subsequently released.

Shivakumar said the government had directed police to remain vigilant against alleged attempts to use anti-social elements to disrupt communal harmony

Mysuru District Superintendent of Police Mallikarjuna Baladandi visited the town and ordered additional security deployment. He clarified that police had not imposed a ban on Ganesha processions.

According to Baladandi, Dhananjaya had told organisers at a September 7 peace meeting to inform the police about the immersion dates so that security could be arranged. The instruction followed an incident last year when a group took out a procession without informing police, leaving authorities unable to provide security despite the route passing a mosque.

Baladandi said T. Narsipur has around 15 to 20 Ganesha pandals annually, and that processions could follow the traditional route this year. He said the inspector’s remarks had been presented differently on social media and instructed police officials to avoid statements that could create confusion.

Police also denied claims that protesters had entered the police station, clarifying that the viral video was filmed at the Inspection Bungalow. Social media users, meanwhile, defended the inspector, arguing that he was enforcing existing rules governing procession routes, loud music, DJs, children’s participation and the requirement that processions conclude before 10.30 p.m.