Tension escalated in Nagamangala town, Mandya, Karnataka, as prohibitory orders were enforced following an incident where stones and shoes were thrown at a Ganpati procession on Wednesday. Hindu groups attributed the violence to a section of Muslims, sparking a political controversy.
Sources reported that the disturbance began when the Ganpati procession was en route for idol immersion, heightening communal tensions in the town. Allegations surfaced that the incident occurred near a mosque, a claim echoed by the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Following the incident, members of the procession gathered outside a local police station, demanding action against those responsible. Police resorted to lathi-charge as the crowd attempted to set fire to several pushcarts, two-wheelers, and a cloth shop.
The BJP criticized the incident as a consequence of what they termed the ruling Congress party’s “appeasement politics” and called for a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe.
Janata Dal-Secular leader HD Kumaraswamy, an ally of the BJP, also blamed the state government and criticized the rioters and local police. Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara stated that the incident was regrettable and assured that peace had been restored.
Following the violence, the Ganesh idol was immersed under police supervision once the situation was controlled. Authorities imposed Section 144, prohibiting gatherings of four or more people in the town to prevent further unrest. Additional security forces were dispatched from Mysuru.
Police reported that the area was cleared on Thursday morning, noting that six shops were damaged by arson and another 13 suffered damage from stone-pelting and vandalism.
As the town gradually returned to normalcy, police detained 52 individuals for questioning, and prohibitory orders will remain in effect until further notice.
The Ganpati festival, which began on September 7, involves ten days of celebrations, rituals, and festivities, culminating in the grand visarjan (immersion) of Ganesha idols in water bodies amidst chants and music.
Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara remarked, “…the Nagamangala incident shouldn’t have happened. But fortunately, no injuries were reported. The situation is under control. During the procession, there was stone pelting. Later, vehicles were set on fire. No harm has happened…. There is peace now.”
He urged the public not to amplify the incident and mentioned that 52 arrests had been made from both sides. “I won’t be going there. Senior officers are already there,” he added.
The Karnataka BJP criticized the incident, with statements from leaders questioning whether the incident was a result of Congress’s vote-bank politics and highlighting their concerns over the handling of the procession near the mosque.
BJP leader R Ashoka took to X, condemning what he termed as the resurgence of communal tensions under the Congress government and expressed concerns over rising extremism.
Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje suggested that the riots were orchestrated by Congress to divert attention from other issues and demanded an NIA investigation into the Nagamangala riots.
