Dalits against BJP protest in T. Narsipur over Ganesha procession

Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R. Ashok along with Mysuru MP Yaduveer Wadiyar, former MP Pratap Simha, MLA Srivatsa, leader Sachidananda and BJP supporters gathered at T. Narsipur on Sunday protesting the police inspectors’ warning regarding the Ganesha procession. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

Tension prevailed in nearby T. Narsipur town on Sunday as BJP leaders and supporters staged a protest against the city police inspector’s remarks during a peace meeting ahead of a Ganesh procession, while Dalit organizations also staged a counter-protest against former MP Pratap Simha’s remarks allegedly inciting communal trouble.

Mysuru District Superintendent of Police Mallikarjuna Baladandi, who visited T. Narsipur to oversee security arrangements, said additional forces have been deployed in the city to maintain law and order in view of the protests.

City Police Inspector T. Narsipur Dhananjay’s reported warning to the procession against bursting crackers in front of a mosque on Link Road in the city drew a strong reaction from the BJP, with Mr. Pratap Simha reportedly threatening to attack the police station in protest against the police inspector’s remarks.

Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R. Ashok was arrested during a BJP protest in T. Narsipur on Sunday against the police inspectors’ warning regarding the Ganesha procession. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

When BJP leaders, including Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R. Ashoka and Mysuru MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, went to T. Narsipur town on Sunday, a group of Dalit activists wearing Jai Bheem flags and blue scarves gathered near the police station and shouted slogans against Mr. Simhas.

Activists of Dalit groups accused the former MP of deliberately spreading communal poison in T. Narsipur with his allegedly inflammatory statements. The police managed to disperse them quickly.

Meanwhile, BJP supporters gathered in the city and started raising slogans in support of Mr. Pratap Simha and against the City Police Inspector.

Mr. Ashok, who arrived in the city, criticized the Congress government for imposing restrictions on the celebration of Ganesh festival in various parts of the state while addressing a large gathering of BJP supporters. He also sought action against a police inspector for threatening groups celebrating the Ganesha festival.

Mr. Pratap Simha also addressed a crowd of BJP supporters gathered in the city to protest the police inspector’s warning.

The police later arrested BJP leaders, including Mr. Ashok. They were subsequently released.

Meanwhile, Mr. Baladandi said the city police inspector has called a peace meeting on September 7 and asked the various groups installing Ganesha idols to inform the police about the date of the immersion so that proper security arrangements are made along the route.

Since one group took out a Ganesha procession last year without informing the police, the procession, which also passed through the mosque, could not be secured. The police inspector therefore asked the group not to carry out the procession unilaterally without informing the police.

Every year about 15 to 20 Ganesha Pandals are set up in T. Narsipur city and there is no restriction on the processions. The processions can go along the same route this year as well. The police did not impose any restrictions, he clarified.

However, he regretted that the police inspector’s statement was portrayed in a “different” manner on social media. He said that necessary instructions have also been issued to police officials against issuing statements that could create confusion in the minds of the public.

Published – 13 Sep 2026 19:49 IST