R Ashoka Leads Protest in T Narasipura Over Ganesh Procession Restrictions, Demands Inspector’s Suspension
T Narasipura/Bengaluru, September 13: Karnataka Leader of Opposition R Ashoka on Sunday led a protest march with BJP leaders and workers in T Narasipura, condemning restrictions imposed on a Ganesh festival procession and demanding the immediate suspension of Inspector Dhananjay.
Ashoka visited T Narasipura and interacted with youths involved in the festival celebrations. He alleged police excesses and said he had discussed the issue with senior police officers and demanded action against the inspector.
Speaking to reporters, Ashoka said Ganesh Chaturthi should remain a people’s festival and alleged that police were imposing restrictions on devotees.
“Ganesh Chaturthi should not become a festival of the police. It should be a festival of the people,” Ashoka said, arguing that celebrations should be allowed to take place in the manner they had traditionally been conducted.
He alleged that the state government was putting pressure on the police and claimed that no action had been taken against the inspector despite allegations that devotees had been threatened.
Ashoka said he had discussed the issue with the Director General of Police and that a reconciliation meeting had also been held by the Superintendent of Police. According to him, authorities had indicated that action against the inspector would be taken within three to four days.
However, Ashoka said the BJP was demanding the inspector’s immediate removal from the post.
He further alleged that restrictions were being imposed at Ganesh celebrations in several places, including on the use of loudspeakers and processions. He said Ganesh festival celebrations would continue for another month and accused the Congress government of targeting Hindus.
Ashoka said BJP leaders had held discussions with police in an attempt to resolve the issue, but alleged that the government remained adamant. He announced that the BJP would take out a procession through the area near a mosque where, according to him, police had prohibited the procession.
The Leader of Opposition also accused the government of siding with one police inspector instead of the people and used strong language against the Congress leadership and the police. He alleged that Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi were “anti-Hindu” and described the state government as a “Tughlaq government”.
Ashoka said the BJP would continue its protest through democratic means and would extend support wherever Hindus faced difficulties.
“We will fight in a democratic manner. If Hindus face problems anywhere, we will go there and support them,” he said, adding that the party would work to ensure that Ganesh festival celebrations were not disrupted.
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