A Ganesh procession in Mysuru’s T Narasipur area has triggered a political row after a policeman warned organisers against taking it past a mosque and said he would “deal with” them if they burst firecrackers there.
A video of the exchange shows the policeman describing the matter as sensitive and objecting to firecrackers being burst near the mosque. The remarks have since become a flashpoint between the Congress government and the BJP over whether the administration is regulating a religious celebration or trying to prevent confrontations during processions. BJP leaders accused the Congress government of restricting Hindu religious observances. “We have seen a similar situation before. We have seen stone pelting incidents. The government’s behaviour is seeming like it is disrespecting Hindus and their traditions. All streets belong to the public. Everyone has the complete right to celebrate. Others cannot dictate where we can take our procession. Don’t burst crackers, don’t blow conch shells, don’t speak. What kind of justice is this? Chief Minister D K Shivakumar rejected the BJP’s account, saying the government was not restricting the festival but wanted processions to be conducted responsibly.
Because of a masjid,” Wadiyar said, don’t disrespect our celebrations just.
BJP MP Yaduveer Wadiyar said public roads could not be treated as the preserve of any particular community and that the administration should facilitate processions rather than dictate their routes. “If Hindus are being told that they cannot openly and devotionally celebrate Ganeshotsava in their own country, what should we tell this government? Ashoka said. “If disturbances are being created only in this place, the Congress government should understand who the anti social elements are,” Ashoka said.
