After the removal of a saffron flag bearing lord Hanuman’s portrait, from a 108-ft-tall flag post, major protests are being held in Karnataka by BJP-JD(S) workers from Mandya to the District Collector’s office.
Earlier, Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) which prohibits the gathering of four or more people in a specified area was imposed in the village from Sunday onwards. A large contingent of police personnel have been deployed.
The protesters began their march to the Deputy Commissioner’s office in the district headquarters of Mandya City holding saffron flags. According to reports, they are likely to be joined by JD(S) leader and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy.
In Bengaluru, BJP staged a protest at Mysuru Bank circle under the leadership of Jayanagara MLA C K Ramamurthy. They were detained and taken away by the police. Police said no permission was granted to stage a protest at the site.
What happened in Mandya?
On Sunday, the situation in Keragodu village in Karnataka intensified when a saffron flag bearing Lord Hanuman’s portrait was removed from a 108-ft-tall flag post, leading to a confrontation between state government and opposition party. The saffron flag was replace with the national flag of India.
The removal of the flag sparked protests from villagers, including women, who strongly opposed the decision. Some villagers even stayed vigilant overnight to prevent the flagpole from being removed.
Residents of Keragodu and 12 neighbouring villages, along with certain organisations, had funded the installation of the flag post near Rangamandira. Reportedly, BJP and JD(S) workers were actively involved in this initiative, reported news agency PTI.
Mandya District in-charge Minister N Cheluvarayaswamy clarified that permission was obtained to hoist the national flag, but it was replaced by another flag later in the evening.
“There may be politics behind it (the installation of the Hanuman flag replacing the National Flag). I don’t know who is behind it …This country works under democracy and the Constitution.
“Tomorrow they may say they want to hoist the flag (saffron flag) in front of the DC’s office. Can it be allowed? If it is permitted at one place, it will extend to other places. This is the only reservation,” he said.
“We are not here to hurt our youth. I have spoken to officials, police and youths. We are ready to install the Hanuman flag at a private place or near a temple. We will support them. We too are Rama Bhaktas,” he added.
Mandya under tight security:
Police have also erected barricades around the flagpole and CCTV cameras have been installed in the area to secure the place and to ensure that no untoward incident occurs, official sources said.
Most shops and establishments have remained shut in the village, they said, as protesting activists and villagers had given a call for a voluntary shutdown.
Meanwhile, BJP leaders and workers are holding protests at all the district headquarters of the state today, condemning the “anti-Hindu policy” of the Congress state government and accusing it of “insulting” the national flag.
Reaction of Congress government:
After the incident, Chief Minister Siddaramiah said that it was not right to hoist the Bhagwa flag instead of the Indian flag.
“It is no accident that the Hanuman flag is hoisted where the national flag should have been hoisted, deliberately violating the rules and protesting against the government,” said CM Siddaramiah.
“This incident is a pre-arranged act of the BJP and Sangh Parivar. Such a situation has been created with the intention of systematically raising the people against the state government. There is no doubt that the plot to create communal riots in Mandya is a preparation for the Lok Sabha elections by the BJP leaders,” Siddaramaiah claimed.
The Chief Minister said that his government is committed to maintaining peace and order in society.
“We are not against any particular caste, religion, or community. Our stand is pro-constitutional. People should not make the mistake of following the words of BJP leaders and taking legal action. It is the duty of all of us to respect the Constitution and the law,” he asserted.
“The opposition parties are playing politics regarding the eviction of Hanumadhwaja in a village in Mandya district. It is not right to hoist the Bhagwa dhwaja instead of hoisting the flag of India. According to the rules, it is not allowed to fly any other flag on the flagpole where the national flag should be flown” the Chief Minister said.
Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar said that protesters are free to do politics but should not take the law into their own hands.
“They should have basic common sense. Let them do politics, not take the law into their hands. We respect all religions. We can’t allow anyone to take the law into their hands,” Shivakumar said speaking to reporters on Monday.
In response to a question from a reporter whether permission was given to hoist only the national flag from the flag pole, Shivakumar said, “That is why I am telling you. They want to do politics. Let them do.”
(with agency inputs)
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