Mandya: A contentious situation unfolded in Keragodu village of Mandya, Karnataka, as the erection of a 108-foot Hanuman flagpole led to political confrontations, protests, and police intervention. Despite the village panchayat granting permission for the flagpole, complaints arose, prompting officials to request the removal of the Hanuman flag. Villagers resisted, accusing certain individuals of politicizing the matter.
The controversy escalated, and prohibitory orders under Section 144 were issued. Protests ensued, involving BJP, JD(S), and Bajrang Dal members, leading to heightened police presence. Amid the unrest, banners of local Congress MLA Ravi Kumar were vandalized, adding a political dimension to the situation.
Police resorted to lathi charge and replaced the Hanuman flag with the national flag on the pole. BJP condemned the removal, and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed concern about raising a ‘bhagwa dwaja’ instead of the national flag. Opposition parties criticized the Congress-led government, with BJP’s R Ashoka deeming it “anti-Hindu.” District In-charge Minister N Cheluvarayaswamy clarified the jurisdictional aspect and raised concerns about the precedent set by allowing such flags.
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