Tension prevailed in Nagamangala taluk of Mandya district after violence on September 11, night caused by a communal riot broke out during a Ganesh procession, turning the situation tense and chaotic. The incident has sparked outrage and led to a heavy police presence in the area.
52 people were taken into custody on September 12, as per Karnataka Home Minister G Parmeshwar. “Yesterdays Nagamangala incident shouldn’t have happened. But fortunately, no injuries have happened. The situation is under control. During the procession, there was a stone pelting. Later vehicles were set on fire. No harm has happened. SP, IGP at the spot. There is peace now. In response, the stone pelting took place. I request that you not give publicity to such an incident. 52 arrested from both the groups,” Parmeshwar said.
The unrest began around 6:30 PM when a grand farewell procession for Bhagwan Ganesh, an murti installed in Badarikoppal village, commenced in Nagamangala town five days earlier. As the procession moved through the streets with firecrackers, traditional drums, and DJ music, tensions escalated near the Ya Allah Masjid and Dargah on Mysore Road.
As the procession neared Mandya Circle, a group of Muslim youths reportedly stopped the procession and demanded that the music be turned off in front of the mosque. Despite the objections, the Ganesh Visarjana team continued with the procession, playing music and bursting firecrackers. Suddenly, stones were hurled at the procession from various directions, including from the rooftops, triggering a violent confrontation between the two groups.
Eyewitnesses reported that as the stone-pelting began, members of the Hindu community clashed with the group accused of initiating the violence. Police quickly intervened to diffuse the situation, but the tension escalated.
Shortly after the initial altercation, around 10 PM, further violence erupted near Mandya Circle. A group of youths reportedly attacked several shops, throwing petrol bombs and causing significant damage. A Gujari scrap shop was completely gutted, a bike showroom was vandalised, and multiple bikes were set on fire. Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with individuals brandishing weapons such as rods, swords (talwars), and long (sticks) and attacking vehicles on the road.
The fire brigade responded promptly, and firefighters were able to extinguish the flames. However, the damage to properties was extensive. Police seized various weapons from the miscreants involved in the violence.
Following the violence, senior officials, including South Zone IGP Boralingaiah, Mandya Deputy Commissioner Dr Kumar, and Mandya District SP Mallikarjuna Baladandi, visited the scene to assess the situation. To prevent further unrest, authorities have imposed a prohibitory order under Section 144 until September 14, banning public gatherings and processions.
Local schools and colleges were closed on September 12, as a precautionary measure, and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) called for a bandh in Nagamangala to protest the violence. So far, the police have arrested 50 people in connection with the riots, and a case has been registered at the Nagamangala Police Station.
ಮಂಡ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಗಣೇಶ ವಿಸರ್ಜನೆಯ ಸಮಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಅನ್ಯಕೋಮಿನವರು ಮತ್ತೊಮ್ಮೆ ತಮ್ಮ ದುರ್ಬುದ್ದಿ, ದುಷ್ಟತನ ತೋರಿದ್ದಾರೆ.
ನಾಗಮಂಗಲದ ಮೈಸೂರು ರಸ್ತೆಯಲ್ಲಿರುವ ದರ್ಗಾ ಬಳಿ ಮೆರವಣಿಗೆ ಬಂದ ವೇಳೆ ಕಲ್ಲುತೂರಿರುವುದು ಇವರ ರೋಗಗ್ರಸ್ಥ ಮನಃಸ್ಥಿತಿ ತೋರಿಸುತ್ತದೆ. ಗಣೇಶನ ಪ್ರಸಾದ ತಯಾರು ಮಾಡಲು ನಿಯಮಾವಳಿ ರೂಪಿಸಿದ ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಯಾರಿಗೂ ತೊಂದರೆ ಕೊಡದೆ… pic.twitter.com/TQ9KjNyrrk
— Basanagouda R Patil (Yatnal) (@BasanagoudaBJP) September 11, 2024
Political leaders have strongly condemned the communal violence. BJP MLA Basan Gowda Patil Yatnal criticises the attackers and demands strict action under the Goonda Act against those responsible for stone-pelting and violence. He called for the arrest and punishment of all those involved, urging the government to take strong measures against the “vested interests” behind the unrest.
ಮಂಡ್ಯ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆ ನಾಗಮಂಗಲದಲ್ಲಿ ಗಣೇಶ ವಿಸರ್ಜನೆ ವೇಳೆ ನಡೆದಿರುವ ಘಟನೆಯನ್ನು ನಾನು ಉಗ್ರವಾಗಿ ಖಂಡಿಸುತ್ತೇನೆ. ಗಣಪತಿ ದೇವರ ಮೆರವಣಿಗೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಶಾಂತಿಯುತವಾಗಿ ತೆರಳುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ಭಕ್ತರನ್ನು ಗುರಿ ಮಾಡಿ ಒಂದು ಸಮುದಾಯದ ಪುಂಡರು ಉದ್ದೇಶಪೂರ್ವಕವಾಗಿಯೇ ದಾಂಧಲೆ ಎಬ್ಬಿಸಿ ಸಾರ್ವಜನಿಕರು-ಪೊಲೀಸರ ಮೇಲೆ ಕಲ್ಲು, ಚಪ್ಪಲಿ ಎಸೆದು ಪೆಟ್ರೋಲ್ ಬಾಂಬ್…
— ಹೆಚ್.ಡಿ.ಕುಮಾರಸ್ವಾಮಿ | HD Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) September 11, 2024
Former Karnataka Chief Minister and Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy also condemned the incident, accusing the Karnataka Congress government of failing to maintain peace and order. “The thugs of a community purposely started rioting, hurled stones and petrol bombs, and brandished weapons at devotees peacefully participating in the Bhagwan Ganesh procession. This is proof of the failure of peace and order in the town,” Kumaraswamy stated on social media platform X.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi echoed similar sentiments, holding the state government responsible for the riots. He argued that the unrest resulted from the government’s “appeasement policies” and criticised the Congress party for “appeasing a particular community for political gain.”
In response to the allegations, SDPI state president Abdul Majeed accused communal organisations of attacking Muslim-owned shops during the riot. “Communal organisations pelted stones, looted shops, and set fire to Muslim properties, causing significant loss,” Majeed alleged.
The situation in Nagamangala remains tense but under control following extensive police deployment and the imposition of prohibitory orders. The area is closely monitored to prevent further violence, with community leaders and officials urging residents to maintain peace and harmony.
The violence has sparked widespread condemnation and calls for accountability, with many fearing that the incident could further inflame communal tensions in the region. The police and local administration are continuing their investigation into the events that led to the riot, with a focus on identifying and prosecuting those responsible for inciting violence.
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