Ganesha procession row: Tension in T. Narasipur

• High drama at Police Station as slogans fly
• Opposition Leader, MP and BJP leaders arrive

T. Narasipur: Tension prevailed in T. Narasipur this morning following a row over controversial warnings issued by Circle Police Inspector Dhananjaya to Ganesha festival organisers regarding idol installation and the immersion procession.

The T. Narasipur Police Station witnessed high drama ahead of the scheduled visit of Opposition Leader in the State Assembly R. Ashoka.

Latest reports said that Ashoka arrived at the Police Station around 2 pm along with Mysuru-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Wadiyar and former MP Prathap Simha.

Thousands of Hindu activists and BJP supporters gathered at the venue. As the BJP leaders arrived, party workers raised slogans in their support. Activists of Hindu organisations, along with BJP leaders, staged a demonstration in front of the Police Station.

In a novel form of protest, demonstrators carried Ganesha idols on their heads as they staged the agitation. Saffron flags were prominently displayed in front of the Police Station, adding to the tense atmosphere at the spot.

The large gathering prompted the Police to deploy additional forces in the town to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incident.

The developments came days after a video of Inspector Dhananjaya’s warnings went viral. Former MP Prathap Simha had criticised the Police, cautioning them against imposing restrictions on the installation of Ganesha idols and taking out immersion processions.

Members of the Dalit Sangharsh Samiti (DSS), who had gathered in front of the Police Station, raised slogans against Simha. His supporters, who assembled nearby, responded with slogans in his support.

SP clarifies

Meanwhile, Mysuru District Superintendent of Police (SP) Mallikarjun Baladandi clarified the circumstances behind the Inspector’s warnings.

He said that the Police Inspector at T. Narasipur had not been informed in advance about last year’s large Ganesha procession.

Against this backdrop, Inspector Dhananjaya had been stern in reminding organisers this year to inform the Police before taking out such processions.

Baladandi clarified that there was no change in the existing arrangements or the permitted route. The requirement was only to provide prior information to the Police before organising the procession.

As in previous years, permission remains in place for processions along the link road, he said, adding that the issue was essentially one of communication and that organisers were required to notify the Police in advance. The SP said that the permitted route for the procession remains unchanged.