Dalits counter BJP protest in T. Narsipur over Ganesha procession
Dalit groups accuse former MP Pratap Simha of deliberately spreading communal poison in T. Narsipur with his allegedly inflammatory statements
On Sunday, a tense atmosphere gripped the town of T. Narsipur as BJP leaders and supporters staged a protest against remarks made by the town police inspector during a peace meeting ahead of the Ganesha procession. Simultaneously, a counter-protest was organized by Dalit organizations against allegations of fomenting communal trouble made by former MP Pratap Simha.
Superintendent of Mysuru district police, Mallikarjuna Baladandi, arrived in T. Narsipur to oversee security arrangements for the event. He reported that additional forces had been deployed to maintain law and order amidst the protests. The town police inspector, Dhananjaya, reportedly warned the processionists against bursting crackers near a mosque on Link Road, which prompted a strong reaction from the BJP.
Pratap Simha allegedly threatened to storm the police station in response to the inspector's remarks. BJP leaders, including R. Ashok and Mysuru MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, visited T. Narsipur on Sunday. Meanwhile, a group of Dalit activists, dressed in Jai Bheem flags and blue shawls, gathered near the police station, shouting slogans against Pratap Simha, accusing him of spreading communal discord.
Police swiftly dispersed the activists. BJP supporters gathered in the town, raising slogans in support of Pratap Simha and against the town police inspector. Ashok, who addressed the crowd, criticized the Congress government for restricting the Ganesha festival celebrations across the state and sought action against the police inspector for threatening the Ganesha celebrators.
Pratap Simha also addressed the gathering, urging the police to maintain order. The police later arrested several BJP leaders, who were subsequently released. Superintendent Baladandi explained that the inspector had convened a peace meeting on September 7, urging groups installing Ganesha idols to inform the police about the immersion date to ensure proper security.
The inspector cautioned against unannounced processions, as one group had taken out the Ganesha procession last year without informing the police, resulting in inadequate security. Despite no restrictions on the processions, Baladandi expressed disappointment that the inspector's statement was misrepresented on social media. He emphasized the need for clear instructions to police officials to prevent confusion.
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