Mysuru: A political row has erupted in Karnataka over alleged restrictions on Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in T Narasipura, with Leader of Opposition R Ashoka accusing the Congress government of preventing devotees from holding processions, while police have denied imposing any new restrictions.
Ashoka alleged on Sunday that a police official in T Narasipura had called Ganesh festival organisers and warned them against approaching mosques, taking out processions, bursting crackers or raising slogans.
The BJP leader later joined a protest in T Narasipura and demanded the resignation of the police official whom he accused of imposing curbs on Ganeshotsav celebrations.
Ashoka alleges restrictions on Ganeshotsav
Speaking to reporters, Ashoka claimed that the alleged restrictions were not limited to T Narasipura and accused the Congress government of preventing Hindus from celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi peacefully.
“The police officer in T Narasipur, Mysuru, called the Ganesha festival organisers and threatened them not to go near any masjid, no procession, no crackers, and no slogans,” Ashoka alleged.
He further claimed that similar instructions were being issued to Ganesh Chaturthi organisers across Karnataka.
“This is not just a Mysuru issue; this is happening across Karnataka. Police officers are calling Ganesha Chaturthi organisers and threatening them,” he said.
Ashoka accused the Congress government of functioning like a “Taliban government” and a “one-sided government”, escalating the political confrontation over the festival arrangements.
The BJP leader subsequently participated in a protest in T Narasipura, where he sought action against the police official allegedly responsible for the restrictions.
Mysuru police reject allegations
Mysuru Superintendent of Police Mallikarjun Baladandi, however, said there were no restrictions on traditional routes used by Ganesh processions in T Narasipura.
The SP said processions would be allowed to follow the same routes that were used during the previous year’s celebrations and that the police had not introduced any new restrictions.
“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,” Baladandi said.
He explained that T Narasipura town has around 15 to 20 Ganesh pandals, with idol immersions scheduled on different days.
According to the SP, organisers could continue to use the traditional routes followed during previous years.
“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.
The police clarification came amid the political controversy triggered by Ashoka’s allegations.
SP rejects claim over crackers near mosque
Baladandi also rejected the suggestion that police authorities had presumed devotees would burst crackers near a mosque.
The police maintained that there was no new prohibition on traditional procession routes and sought to distinguish between existing arrangements and the allegations of a blanket restriction on Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations.
The clarification is significant as the dispute centres on whether organisers were actually prevented from using routes traditionally followed by Ganesh processions or whether routine arrangements for maintaining law and order were being portrayed as new restrictions.
Shivakumar accuses BJP of trying to create unrest
Chief Minister D K Shivakumar criticised the BJP over the controversy and accused the Opposition of attempting to create unrest during the festival.
He said Ganesh Utsav would be celebrated peacefully across Karnataka and asserted that the festival did not belong to any particular political party.
“The BJP is using anti-social elements a little more. We are aware of all that as well. Let them do whatever they want,” Shivakumar said.
Responding to attempts to associate the festival with a particular political party, the Chief Minister said Ganesh belonged to everyone.
“Ganesh is not anybody’s property. It is not the BJP’s property. It belongs to everyone,” he said.
Shivakumar also pointed out that the government had declared a holiday for Ganesh Chaturthi and was encouraging people to celebrate the festival.
Political clash intensifies
The controversy has brought the Congress and BJP into another confrontation over religious celebrations and law-and-order arrangements in the state.
While Ashoka has alleged that police officials were deliberately imposing restrictions on Hindu festivals, the Mysuru police have maintained that traditional Ganesh procession routes remain open and that no new restrictions have been introduced.
With Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations and idol immersions taking place at different locations and on different dates, authorities are expected to focus on maintaining peace, regulating traffic and ensuring that processions are conducted without incidents.
The dispute in T Narasipura is likely to remain a political flashpoint as the BJP seeks to press its allegations against the Congress government, while the ruling party maintains that the festival should not be turned into a political issue.