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The removal of the saffron flag bearing the image of Lord Hanuman has sparked widespread political controversy in Karnataka. The BJP and JD(S) on Monday protested against the ruling party and several politicians accused the Siddaramaiah-led government of failing to handle the situation. Meanwhile, the Congress is insisting that the flag was removed as permission was sought only to hoist the national tricolor and the Karnataka state flag.
Former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy accused the government of playing politics over the issue and inciting people by using police force to suppress public unrest. He also shared pictures of the two-party protest in Mandya over the removal of ‘Hanuman flag’ in Keragodu village on Monday evening on Twitter.
“You claim that you 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 doing politics, let’s put things right. “It is not us (the opposition) who are doing things keeping in mind the Lok Sabha elections…If they do not do things right, they will not be able to walk on the streets,” he said.
The protesters marched from Keragodu to the Deputy Commissioner’s office in the district headquarters of Mandya carrying saffron flags amid slogans of “Jai Shri Ram” on Monday. Prominent politicians from both parties – including BJP leaders CT Ravi and Pritam Gowda as well as former JDs – were present. (S) MLAs Suresh Gowda, CS Puttaraju and K Annadani were part of the party. The group was seen raising slogans against the Congress government while walking.
BJP leaders and workers also protested at the district headquarters, condemning the Congress government’s “anti-Hindu policy” and accusing it of “insulting” the national flag.
Earlier on Monday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had accused BJP and JDS of trying to instigate people keeping in mind the Lok Sabha elections.
Controversy erupted in Keragodu after authorities removed the ‘Hanuman flag’ from the 108-feet tall flag pole on Sunday. Minister in-charge of Mandya district N Cheluvarayaswami had said that the location of the flagpole fell 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. Went”.
(with inputs from agencies)
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Published: 29 January 2024, 07:57 PM IST
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