Ganesh Procession Dispute Sparks Political Row Between BJP and Karnataka Government
The BJP alleges restrictions on Ganeshotsava celebrations in Mysuru, while the government says processions must be conducted peacefully and responsibly.
A dispute over a Ganesh procession in T Narasipur, Mysuru, has sparked a political confrontation between the BJP and the Congress government in Karnataka.
The controversy began after a video surfaced showing a police officer warning organisers against taking the procession past a mosque and objecting to firecrackers being burst near the place of worship.
In the video, the officer describes the situation as sensitive and warns organisers that he would take action if firecrackers were set off near the mosque.
The remarks have drawn strong criticism from BJP leaders, who accused the state government of placing restrictions on Hindu religious celebrations.
BJP MP Yaduveer Wadiyar said public roads should remain accessible to everyone and argued that authorities should help facilitate religious processions rather than restrict their routes.
He also referred to previous incidents of stone pelting and said the government’s approach appeared to be disrespectful towards Hindu traditions. He argued that celebrations should not be restricted simply because a procession passes near a mosque.
Karnataka Assembly Leader of Opposition R Ashoka also criticised the government and claimed that similar difficulties were being reported in other parts of the state, including Maddur and Kolar.
Ashoka demanded action against the police officer involved and questioned why Ganesh processions should face restrictions when passing mosques.
He also asked why similar concerns were not being raised when religious processions passed churches, gurdwaras, Jain temples or Buddhist places of worship.
The BJP’s protest over the issue led to the detention of Ashoka and other party workers by the police in Mysuru.
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar rejected the BJP’s allegations and said the government was not preventing people from celebrating Ganeshotsava.
Shivakumar said the festival should be observed peacefully and that organisers must maintain discipline during processions. He also stressed the need for caution around electric poles and wires to prevent accidents.
He accused the BJP of attempting to create communal tension over the issue and said Ganesh celebrations should not be treated as a political programme.
Shivakumar also said the tradition of public Ganesh celebrations predates the BJP, pointing to the public celebrations popularised by freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
The dispute has now become a wider political debate over religious processions, public spaces and the balance between religious celebrations and maintaining communal peace.