Tensions Rise in Karnataka as Hanuman Flag Removal Sparks Congress vs BJP Clash

In Keragodu village, located in Mandya, Karnataka, a contentious situation has arisen over the raising of a Hanuman flag, sparking political tensions, public protests, and police intervention. The incident unfolded last week when a group of individuals erected a towering 108-foot flagpole, proudly hoisting a Hanuman flag atop it.

Karnataka Politics

Amidst mounting discord, authorities imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 in the village due to the escalating tension. Although the village panchayat initially granted permission for the flagpole installation, complaints prompted officials to request its removal. However, villagers remained steadfast, accusing a select few of politicizing the issue.

The situation intensified when members of various political factions, including the BJP, JD(S), and Bajrang Dal, rallied alongside villagers to protest against the flag’s removal. Shop closures as an act of defiance underscored the depth of sentiment within the community.

In a dramatic turn, Gram Panchayat officials faced vehement opposition when attempting to remove the flag, met with resounding chants of ‘Go Back’ from the assembled villagers. Matters took a political twist as banners belonging to local Congress MLA Ravi Kumar were vandalized during the protests, prompting heightened police presence to preempt further unrest.

Expressing solidarity with the villagers, BJP leaders and Hindu activists vehemently opposed the flag’s removal, with plans announced for statewide protests. Amidst the mounting tension, police intervention became inevitable, culminating in a lathi charge and the substitution of the Hanuman flag with the national flag on the pole.

Revelations emerged that the funding for the flagpole’s installation stemmed from residents of Keragodu and 12 neighboring villages, with active involvement from BJP and JD(S) workers. Opposition parties lambasted the Congress-led government for what they deemed excessive police intervention, with BJP’s R Ashoka decrying the government’s perceived “anti-Hindu stance.”

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Chief Minister Siddaramaiah voiced concern over the substitution of the national flag with what he termed a ‘bhagwa dwaja’ (saffron flag), emphasizing the imperative of adhering to national symbols. Meanwhile, District In-charge Minister N Cheluvarayaswamy clarified the jurisdiction of the flagpole, stressing that initial permission was granted solely for hoisting the national flag on Republic Day.

In his remarks, Cheluvarayaswamy underscored the democratic principles and constitutional framework governing such matters, cautioning against setting precedents that could potentially undermine established protocols.