Tension arose in Nagamangala town of Karnataka's Mandya district on Wednesday after two groups clashed during the Ganpati Visarjan procession. Stones were allegedly thrown on the procession, which led to the clashes, news agency PTI reported. As per the report, Section 144 has been imposed in the area.
As per India Today report, a group from Badarikoppalu village were taking the idol for visarjan. When the procession passed along the main road in Nagamangala, stones were allegedly hurled at them from a location near a mosque. This triggered clashes between the two groups, leading to vandalism of shops and the torching of two vehicles.
The report added that the police did intervene to restore order. The report also stated that members of the Hindu community also staged a protest at the police station and demanded immediate arrest of those responsible for the stone-pelting incident.
MB Boralingaiah, South Division IGP said, “Prohibitory orders imposed in Mandya district's Nagamangala after a group of miscreants set shops on fire, and two police staff were injured. I have no information related to the machete or other weapons used in the clash. Investigation is underway. We are verifying the reasons for the instigation, our officers are on duty. We have detained a few people and a search is going on. Restriction orders will continue,” as reported by news agency ANI.
Mandya Deputy Commissioner Dr. Kumar said, "Incident took place in the evening during the Ganesha procession. When the procession reached near a mosque, a few miscreants pelted stones. This has come to our notice. Later there was also a protest. IG, SP and I have visited the spot. We are taking all the measures to control the situation. 2-3 shops were set on fire. As a precautionary measure, Sec 144 CrPC will remain imposed till Sept 14. We are investigating this. Because of fire, there is power cut. I have spoken to GESCOM (Gulbarga Electricity Supply Company Limited)," as quoted by ANI.
Reacting to the incident, Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy expressed his concern on X (formerly Twitter), condemning the violence that occurred during the Ganpati Visarjan procession in Nagamangala.
He wrote, “I strongly condemn the incident during the Ganesha discharge in Nagamangala, Mandya district. It is a proof of the failure of peace and order in the town that the miscreants of a community deliberately raised a ruckus by targeting the devotees who were walking peacefully in the procession of God Ganapati, throwing stones and slippers at the public-policemen, exploding petrol bombs and brandishing talvars.”
“When the thugs of that community oppress those who were peacefully protesting in front of the police station asking for protection, it makes us doubt where we are. The failure of the local police is also evident here,” he added.
Slamming the ruling Congress government in the state, he said, “This despicable incident took place in Nagamangala as a result of over-indulgence and appeasement of a particular community by the party and the state government for political gain. Such wooing and appeasement politics should stop. Otherwise bad days are not far for the Congress party.”
He later urged people to maintain peace in the state , emphasizing the importance of public cooperation in maintaining harmony. He also urged the government to take immediate steps to restore order in Nagamangala. “My concern is that the public should maintain peace. The government should immediately take action to restore peace in the town. Also; There is no question of tolerating opposition party leaders and activists by the police on the pretext of this case,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, this incident follows a similar event in Surat, Gujarat, where protests broke out on Sunday evening after stones were thrown at a Lord Ganesha idol at a pandal. According to Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi, police have arrested all six individuals involved in the stone-pelting, along with 27 others who incited the act.
