BJP protest over police inspector’s remarks on Ganesha procession rocks T. Narsipur; Dalit groups stage counter-protest

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Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R. Ashok, along with Mysuru MP Yaduveer Wadiyar, former MP Pratap Simha, MLA Srivatsa, leader Sachidananda, and BJP supporters gathering in T. Narsipur on Sunday, who were protesting against the police inspectors warning with regard to Ganesha procession. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Tension prevailed in T. Narsipur town near here on Sunday as BJP leaders and supporters staged a protest against the town police inspector’s remarks during a peace meeting ahead of the Ganesha procession, while a counter-protest was also staged by Dalit organisations against former MP Pratap Simha’s allegedly fomenting communal trouble remarks.

Superintendent of Mysuru district police Mallikarjuna Baladandi, who visited T. Narsipur to supervise security arrangements, said additional forces had been deployed in the town to maintain law and order in view of the protests.

T. Narsipur town police inspector Dhananjaya’s reported warning to the processionists against bursting crackers in front of the mosque on Link Road in the town had sparked a strong response from the BJP, with Mr. Pratap Simha allegedly threatening to storm the police station in protest against the police inspector’s remarks.

Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R. Ashok was arrested during BJP’s protest in T. Narsipur on Sunday against the police inspectors warning with regard to Ganesha procession. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

As BJP leaders, including Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R. Ashok and Mysuru MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, made their way to T. Narsipur town on Sunday, a group of Dalit activists sporting Jai Bheem flags and blue shawls gathered near the police station and shouted slogans against Mr. Simha.

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

Meanwhile, BJP supporters gathered in the town and started raising slogans in support of Mr. Pratap Simha and against the town police inspector.

Mr. Ashok, who arrived in the town, criticised the Congress government for imposing restrictions on the celebration of the Ganesha festival in different parts of the State while addressing the large gathering of BJP supporters. He also sought action against the police inspector for threatening the groups celebrating the Ganesha festival.

Mr. Pratap Simha too addressed the crowd of BJP supporters gathered in the town to protest against the police inspector’s warning.

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

Meanwhile, Mr.