The removal of a saffron flag bearing the image of Lord Hanuman has led to extensive political row in Karnataka. The BJP and JD(S) staged protests against the ruling party on Monday, with several politicians accusing the Siddaramaiah-led government of failing to tackle the situation. The Congress, meanwhile, insists that the flag was removed as permission was sought only to hoist the national tricolor and the state flag of Karnataka.
Former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy accused the government of playing politics on the issue and inciting the people by using police force to quell public unrest. He also shared photos of a two-party protest in Mandya over the removal of 'Hanuman dwaja' from Keragodu village on Twitter on Monday evening.
“You claim to have administrative experience, having presented 14 budgets (in the state assembly). If you have even a little administrative knowledge, first correct the mistakes of your government,” he urged the CM.
“Instead of accusing (opposition parties) of playing politics, you should set the record straight. It is not us (the opposition) who are doing things with the Lok Sabha polls in mind. If they don't put things right, they won't be able to walk on the streets,” he added.
Protesters on Monday marched from Keragodu to the deputy commissioner's office in Mandya district headquarters, carrying saffron flags, amid chants of “Jai Sri Ram”. Key politicians from both parties – including BJP leaders CT Ravi and Preetham Gowda and former JD(S) MLAs Suresh Gowda, CS Puttaraju and K Annadani were part of the contingent. The group was seen raising slogans against the Congress government.
BJP leaders and workers also held protests at the district headquarters, condemning the Congress government's “anti-Hindu policies” and accusing it of “insulting” the national flag.
Earlier on Monday, Prime Minister Siddaramaiah had accused the BJP and JD(S) of trying to incite people ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
A row broke out in Keragodu after authorities removed the 'Hanuma dwaja' from a 30-metre high flagpole on Sunday. Mandya district minister-in-charge N Cheluvarayaswamy had said that the location of the flagpole falls under the jurisdiction of the panchayat and permission was taken to hoist the national flag, which was done on Republic Day , “but it was replaced by another flag that evening”.
(With input from agencies)
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Published: Jan 29, 2024 7:57 PM IST