Mysuru: Mysuru Superintendent of Police Mallikarjun Baladandi has clarified that there are no restrictions on traditional routes used for Ganesh processions in T Narasipura, amid a political controversy over alleged curbs on Ganeshotsava celebrations.
The clarification came after Karnataka Leader of Opposition R Ashoka accused the Congress government of “harassing” people over Ganesh festival celebrations and alleged that a police officer in T Narasipura had threatened organisers and imposed restrictions on processions.
Ashoka had also announced that he would visit T Narasipura to ensure that Hindus could celebrate Ganeshotsava without restrictions.
SP says traditional routes remain open
Responding to the allegations, Baladandi said organisers could follow the same routes that were used during Ganesh processions last year.
“Whatever Ganesh processions went where last year and whatever routes they followed, there is no restriction of any kind on following the same routes this year,” he said.
The SP said the police had not introduced any new restrictions on the festival processions.
“There is no problem in going to the same places they went to last year. There is no restriction. We are not introducing any new practice this year,” Baladandi said.
He said T Narasipura town has around 15 to 20 Ganesh pandals, with idol immersions taking place on different days.
Given the number of processions and varying immersion schedules, police have been seeking advance information from organisers to ensure that adequate security arrangements can be made.
Peace meetings held ahead of festival
Baladandi said police stations across the district had been instructed to conduct peace meetings as part of preparations for the Ganesh festival.
In T Narasipura town, the police Inspector conducted a peace meeting on September 7.
During the meeting, organisers were asked to provide details regarding the locations of Ganesh idols, procession and immersion dates and the routes planned for the processions.
According to the SP, the exercise was intended to help the police make appropriate security arrangements rather than impose restrictions on the celebrations.
Police clarify previous year’s incident
Baladandi said the current controversy arose in the context of an incident during last year’s Ganeshotsava.
According to him, a Ganesh Mandali had taken out an idol procession without informing the police or seeking security arrangements in advance.
“Last year, they went without informing us and suddenly proceeded. It was while telling them, ‘Don’t do that this time,’ that this issue arose,” he said.
The SP said the police wanted organisers to inform them in advance so that adequate personnel could be deployed along the procession route and arrangements could be made for the immersion.
He maintained that this requirement should not be interpreted as a restriction on the traditional routes followed by Ganesh processions.
SP rejects claims over mosque-related restrictions
Baladandi also rejected the suggestion that police had assumed that devotees would burst crackers near a mosque.
“It was not an assumption. I told you that this happened last year. This was not said based on an assumption,” he said.
The SP reiterated that the police were asking organisers to provide advance information based on previous experience and the need to ensure security during the celebrations.
His remarks came hours after Ashoka alleged that devotees in T Narasipura had been told not to take processions in front of mosques, burst crackers or dance during the celebrations.
Ashoka demanded action against the police officer concerned and alleged that similar restrictions were being imposed elsewhere in Karnataka.
Political row over Ganeshotsava celebrations
The issue has triggered a political exchange between the BJP and Congress.
Ashoka accused the Congress government of adopting a “one-sided” approach towards Ganeshotsava celebrations and alleged that restrictions were being imposed on devotees.
He also announced plans to visit T Narasipura and said he would ensure that people could celebrate the festival with religious fervour.
The Congress, meanwhile, has rejected allegations that it was attempting to restrict Ganeshotsava celebrations. Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar had also accused the BJP of using anti-social elements to communalise the Ganesh festival.
Against this backdrop, the Mysuru SP’s clarification seeks to establish that traditional procession routes remain available and that the police instructions are related to advance coordination and security arrangements.
With multiple Ganesh pandals in T Narasipura and immersions scheduled on different days, police are continuing preparations to ensure that the celebrations and processions take place peacefully.