As part of beautification, Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL) has installed newly designed electricity street light poles at Gangavati city, Koppal district, however, the local Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) unit found them non-secular and raised objections, then complained to the local municipality in August, demanding their immediate removal, citing symbols attached to the pole as a threat to the social harmony of the town.
As per reports, the installation of these designed street lights, which are similar to streetlamps installed at Ayodhya and Tirumala, started in July and was placed between Nagar Cross and CBS Circle at Gangavati city, a religiously important region known for its cultural and religious heritage.
Gangavati Taluk is revered as the birthplace of Bhagwan Hanuman ji at Anjanadri, which holds significant importance, and such symbols are commonly seen in religious and public spaces in the area.
The electricity poles were installed with a grant from the KKRDB and executed by the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL). The design consists of images of a mace, a bow, and the name of Tirupati Thimmappa, a revered deity of Hindus. These steps were part of the beautification of the town and nearby areas due to its significance, as it is revered as the birthplace of Bhagwan Hanuman ji.
In his complaint, SDPI President Mohammad Ali, using his official letterhead, called for the removal of these poles, arguing that the designs are an unnecessary provocation that could disturb communal harmony.
Critics of the SDPI’s objection argue that installation of these street lamps should not be seen as a threat to communal harmony but rather as a celebration of local culture and tradition. They point out that religious symbols are often integrated into public infrastructure in various parts of India, reflecting the diverse spiritual landscape of the country. Furthermore, they argue that the SDPI’s demand undermines the secular fabric of the nation by attempting to erase symbols that are part of the community’s identity.
The Hindu organizations in Gangavati have made it clear that they do not intend to back down from their position. They have urged the Municipal Council to stand firm and not give in to the SDPI’s demands.
The government’s use of temple funds for development purposes, including the installation of these street lamps, has also been defended as a legitimate use of resources for the benefit of the broader community.
Basavarajappa, a local Bhajarangdal leader, told the organizer that the street lights were installed as per the design of street lights in Ayodhya. Every day lakhs visiting Ayodhya, there was no communal tension, so why here tension? Every day in the early morning we tolerate Muslims azan, which disturbs us, but we never complained, he added.
The history of certain Muslim groups, especially those aligned with parties like the SDPI, which is widely recognized as an offshoot of the banned Islamic organization PFI, is marked by a pattern of opposition to anything associated with Hindus under the guise of communal harmony, and secularism is a well-known tactic to exploit democratic values.
These separatist Muslim groups often use secular rhetoric to justify their actions while enforcing religious exclusivity in Muslim-majority areas. Preventing Hindu songs, disrupting Hindu festivals, and attacking non-Islamic practices are not isolated incidents but part of a long-standing strategy rooted in religious intolerance. The seeds of separatism and hostility towards non-Islamic traditions are no longer hidden; they are evident in the ongoing efforts to undermine the Bharat and its culture.
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