BJP Leaders Slam Karnataka Government Over Ganesh Visarjan Violence in Mandya
In a fiery outburst, Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R. Ashoka, has slammed the state government for the recent stone-pelting chaos during the Ganesh Visarjan procession in Maddur town, Mandya district. He straight-up demanded an apology from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for what he calls targeted attacks on Hindus.
Talking to reporters on Monday, Ashoka didn’t hold back. "Chief Minister Siddaramaiah owes an apology to the people of Karnataka for this shameful stone-pelting during the Ganesh Visarjan. Why do Hindus always face attacks and FIRs? It’s unfair!" he said.
He pointed out the endless restrictions on Ganesh festival celebrations. "Hindus can’t even freely hold processions or celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi without hurdles. Remember last year in Nagamangala, Mandya district? They removed the Hanuman Dhwaja and seized a Ganesh idol, locking it in a police vehicle. Don’t you feel any shame?" Ashoka fumed.
Raising his voice, he added, "The Ganesh Visarjan procession happens on public roads – not private property. We taxpayers build these roads; they’re ours! If the police had just sent a small team there, we wouldn’t need thousands of officers or a lathi-charge mess."
Ashoka went further, accusing the government of poor planning. "Don’t they have any sense? These goondas who throw stones could be hiding in mosques – it’s a systematic plot to target Hindus," he claimed angrily.
He linked it to bigger issues, like Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar’s remark that Chamundi Hills isn’t just for Hindus. "Siddaramaiah even set up a Special Investigation Team for the Dharmasthala case and let propaganda spread," Ashoka alleged.
Looking at the past two years, Ashoka said Hindus have become second-class citizens in Karnataka. "Is the government even awake? For vote-bank politics, they’re selling out the nation. They wave the Constitution around, but is this what it stands for?" he questioned.
Former Deputy CM and MLA C.N. Ashwath Narayan joined the criticism, hitting out at Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy’s claim that BJP and JD(S) sparked the violence. "How are we supporting this? You ignored it in Nagamangala before, and now in Maddur, you’re still blind. You’re playing appeasement politics and drunk on power, Mr. Cheluvarayaswamy," Narayan shot back.
He highlighted a pattern. "Whenever Congress rules, people think they can attack police freely. Crowds gather and do as they please. But during Eid-Milad processions, does anyone throw stones? No!"
Narayan called for tough action. "Strengthen the law and send a clear message: no mercy for stone-pelters. Book them under the Goonda Act and jail them. If we act strictly, who would dare? Instead, they’re withdrawing cases for criminals, even those who burned police stations," he alleged.
The Ganesh Visarjan violence in Mandya has sparked a huge row, with BJP leaders pushing for justice and better security for Hindu festivals in Karnataka. As tensions rise, many are watching how the government responds to these demands.
