Though there was no connection between the Mahisha Dasara celebration and Muslims, the former MP from Mysuru threatened the Muslim community, stating that they would not survive if all Hindus picked up stones, and claimed that Hindus could also make petrol bombs, just as they made nuclear bombs.
Former Mysuru BJP MP Pratap Simha’s comments, made on Monday, September 24, in Mysuru, were in response to the upcoming Mahisha Dasara celebration, which has gained traction as an alternative to the traditional Dasara festival, The News Minute reported.
Mahisha Dasara, to be celebrated at Chamundi Hill, seeks to reclaim the legacy of Mahishasura, a figure often depicted as a demon in Hindu mythology, but revered by marginalised communities as a Buddhist ruler.
Simha’s statements, seen as divisive and inflammatory, warned the Muslim community against underestimating the Hindu population, referencing both communal clashes and the recent use of petrol bombs in Nagamangala, Mandya district.
His remarks also criticised Muslim religious leaders for failing to control those he claimed were responsible for causing unrest. Simha’s rhetoric has been criticised for exacerbating tensions in the region, as his words appear to echo a pattern of Islamophobic commentary.
The Mahisha Dasara celebration has become a focal point for debates about cultural identity in Karnataka, with Simha accusing the festival of disrespecting the traditional Dasara and the deity Chamundi.
He expressed concerns that this alternative celebration could cause divisions within the Hindu community, warning that if it continues, devotees of Chamundi could mobilise to halt the event.
Simha also linked his comments to an alleged conspiracy involving Muslims, accusing them of attempting to disrupt Hindu religious festivals, specifically Ganesha celebrations in Davangere.
He suggested that this was part of a broader effort, backed by the state government, to undermine Hindu traditions in Karnataka. The comments have heightened concerns over communal harmony in the region, with fears of further escalation in tensions.