T. Narsipur Tense as BJP and Dalit Groups Hold Rival Protests Over Ganesha Procession Remarks

Tension prevailed in T. Narsipur town in Mysuru district on Sunday as BJP leaders and supporters staged a protest against remarks made by the town police inspector during a peace meeting held ahead of the Ganesha procession, while Dalit organisations held a counter-protest against former MP Pratap Simha over his alleged remarks.

Superintendent of Mysuru district police Mallikarjuna Baladandi, who visited the town to supervise security arrangements, said additional forces had been deployed to maintain law and order in view of the protests.

The dispute centres on a peace meeting convened by T. Narsipur town police inspector Dhananjaya on September 7. According to Mr. Baladandi, groups installing Ganesha idols were asked to inform the police of the date of immersion so that security could be arranged along the procession route.

The Superintendent explained that when a group took out a Ganesha procession last year without informing the police, no security could be provided for it, and the route also passed through a mosque. The inspector therefore asked the group not to take out the procession unilaterally without informing the police. Mr. Baladandi clarified that 15 to 20 Ganesha pandals are set up in the town every year, that there is no restriction on processions, and that they may be taken out on the same route as before.

He regretted that the inspector's statement was being portrayed in a different manner on social media, and said instructions had been issued to police officials against making statements that could create confusion in the minds of the public.

Mr. Simha has reportedly threatened to storm the police station in protest against the inspector's warning. The reported threat drew a sharp response from Dalit groups. As BJP leaders, including Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R. Ashok and Mysuru MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, made their way to the town, a group of Dalit activists wearing blue shawls and carrying Jai Bheem flags gathered near the police station and raised slogans against Mr. Simha. They accused the former MP of deliberately spreading communal discord in T. Narsipur through his allegedly inflammatory statements. The police dispersed the group.

Meanwhile, BJP supporters gathered in the town and raised slogans in support of Mr. Simha and against the town police inspector.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Ashok criticised the Congress government for imposing restrictions on the celebration of the Ganesha festival in different parts of the State. He also sought action against the police inspector for allegedly threatening groups celebrating the festival. Mr. Simha too addressed the crowd of BJP supporters.

The police later arrested BJP leaders, including Mr. Ashok. They were subsequently released.

Ganesha Chaturthi processions are a common feature of towns across Karnataka, and disputes over routes passing near places of worship have on occasion required police mediation. Officials say the purpose of peace meetings held before such events is to coordinate routes and timings among different groups so that security can be arranged and public order maintained.

While the police have given their account of the peace meeting and denied imposing any restrictions, the claims made by political parties and community organisations remain contested. The police have said they will continue to coordinate with all groups installing Ganesha pandals in the town ahead of the immersion processions.