Amid growing tensions in Karnataka’s Mandya district following the removal of a ‘Hanuman dhwaja (flag)’ from a 108-foot flagpole in Keragodu village, security measures have been intensified in the district as the workers of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal-Secular (JDS) have announced a protest rally from the village to the District Collector’s office.

In response to the situation, heightened security measures have been implemented in the district. Section 144 has been imposed in the village since Sunday, accompanied by a substantial deployment of police personnel. Section 144, under the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), restricts gatherings of four or more people in a specified area.

Virupaksha, the former vice president of the Village Panchayat, explained that the initial “request letter” had outlined the dual purpose of the flagpole for both civic and religious use. He expressed concern that the Chief Minister may not be fully informed about the controversy, stating, “The Chief Minister does not know the reality of this controversy. The officer at the district level has given the wrong information to the Chief Minister. When we wrote the request letter, we mentioned that we would also use this for religious purposes. What we are requesting is to permit us to hoist the saffron flag.”

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On BJP-JDS workers’ protest in Mandya, Karnataka deputy CM DK Shivakumar stated, “They should have basic common sense. Let them do politics. We respect all religions. We can’t allow anyone to take the law into their hands,” ANI reported.

Meanwhile,Karnataka Police have arrested BJP workers in Bengaluru who were staging a protest over the Mandya flag issue, according to ANI reports.

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Hanuman flag removed in Keragodu village

The issue stemmed after authorities removed a ‘Hanuman dhwaja,’ a saffron flag bearing Lord Hanuman’s portrait, from a 108-ft tall flagpole on Saturday, following which members of the BJP, JD(S), and Bajrang Dal gathered to protest against the flag’s removal, leading to the deployment of a substantial number of police personnel as a precautionary measure.

This led to a political confrontation between the ruling Congress government and the opposition BJP and JD(S) in the state and to control the unrest, the police used a lathi charge. Subsequently, the Hanuman flag was replaced with the national tricolor on the flagpole by the police and administration.

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Residents of Keragodu and 12 neighboring villages, along with certain organisations, collectively funded the installation of the flagpole near Rangamandira, according to official and police sources. Reports suggest that BJP and JD(S) workers played an active role in this initiative. A saffron flag featuring Hanuman’s image was raised, leading to opposition from some individuals who filed a complaint with the administration. In response, the taluk panchayat executive officer directed the gram panchayat officials to remove the flag.

Certain protesters directed their anger towards the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government and Mandya Congress MLA Ganiga Ravikumar, chanting slogans against them. Refusing to relent, they affixed a flex board featuring a portrait of Lord Ram along with a smaller saffron flag at the base of the flagpole. Attempts to resist removal were made when the police intervened, and slogans of “Jai Sri Ram, Jai Hanuman” filled the air.

By late afternoon, police forcibly removed the protesters, once again using a lathi charge to restore order. Following this, police and administration officials raised the Tricolor on the flagpole from which the Hanuman flag had been removed.

BJP VS Congress row

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, in response to the recent events, accused the BJP of plotting against the state government by intimidating people in the village. The chief minister said, “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.”

Mandya district in-charge Minister N Cheluvarayaswamy clarified that the flagpole’s location fell under the panchayat’s jurisdiction, and permission was obtained to hoist the national flag on Republic Day. However, it was later replaced by another flag that evening.

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“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.

Leader of Opposition and BJP leader R Ashoka in Bengaluru condemned the government’s perceived “anti-Hindu stance” and criticised the police intervention. He mentioned that the Hanuman dhwaja was raised with the gram panchayat’s approval, but the Congress government suddenly removed it, labelling the government’s action as anti-Rama and an insult to Lord Hanuman.

Furthermore, state BJP president B Y Vijayendra accused the government of using “police oppression” to remove the flag and create a situation for law and order to deteriorate. He slammed the Congress government’s arrogance of power for resorting to such measures.