In a significant move, the Nagamangala Senior Civil Court has sent 52 individuals accused in connection with the recent riots in Nagamangala district under 14 days of judicial custody. As the accused were transferred to Mandya District Jail, tensions escalated, with several opposition leaders condemning the state government for handling the incident and accusing it of political bias.
The court’s decision comes as Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) experts, alongside the police, conducted a thorough investigation at the scene of the riots, meticulously collecting evidence to aid in the probe. The police, under the leadership of South Zone IGP Boralingaiah, also carried out road marches to restore peace and order in the affected areas, including Channakesava Temple, Pandavapura-Bellur Road, and Mandya Circle.
Opposition leaders have been vocal in their criticism, accusing the Congress-led state government of mismanaging the situation and promoting a policy of appeasement. Former BJP MP Pratap Simha, speaking at a public event in Mysore, issued a stern warning to the government, stating, “If weapons like petrol bombs and swords, allegedly possessed by certain Muslim groups, are not confiscated, Hindus would also take Talwars and bombs during the upcoming Ganesh processions. If law and order deteriorates, the government will be directly responsible.”
Union Heavy Industries Minister and Mandya MP H.D. Kumaraswamy, who visited the riot areas on Friday, accused the Congress of orchestrating the violence for political gain. “This is reminiscent of the riots in Ramanagara and Channapatna, orchestrated by Congress to bring down former Chief Minister Veerendra Patil. These are not communal riots. They are politically motivated actions ahead of the upcoming by-elections in Channapatna,” Kumaraswamy alleged, suggesting that the unrest was deliberately incited to influence the electoral outcome.
Kumaraswamy criticised the authorities’ approach to the investigation, arguing that innocent people had been wrongfully arrested. “Our state is a garden of peace for all races. Arresting innocent people is wrong. When will those innocent people come out of jail?” he asked, drawing parallels to the DJ Halli and KJ Halli riots, which he claimed were also sponsored by Congress leaders to serve their political agenda.
Kumaraswamy pledged financial assistance to businesses that suffered losses during the Nagamangala riots to support those affected by the violence. “I will help as much as I can and compensate everyone equally, regardless of their religion,” he asserted, underscoring his commitment to both Hindu and Muslim victims and positioning himself as a neutral leader in a politically charged atmosphere.
Meanwhile, BJP leaders have escalated their attack on the state government, with MP Tejasvi Surya asserting that the Congress party’s governance would encourage divisive forces. “When the Congress government comes, Tipu and Aurangzeb’s progeny will be born,” Surya remarked during a press conference at the BJP office, suggesting that the current administration was fostering communal divisions.
Surya also took issue with Home Minister Parameshwar’s dismissal of the Nagamangala riot as a “minor incident.” “Do you call it a minor incident if someone throws stones or sets fire to your house while placing Ganesha on the road? You wouldn’t think it’s minor if your house was burning,” he argued, criticising the government for downplaying the severity of the unrest.
The BJP has demanded the withdrawal of cases against Hindu activists and has warned of intensified protests if the government does not take action against those it deems responsible for inciting the riots. “If the government takes action against innocent people, we will fight from village to village,” a BJP spokesperson announced, calling for strict measures against the alleged perpetrators.
The Nagamangala incident has ignited a wave of protests across Karnataka. Pro-Hindu organisations condemning the riots staged demonstrations in various parts of the state, including Mangalore, Udupi, Shimoga, Chikkamagaluru, Chitradurga, Dharwad, and Kolar. Protesters expressed outrage over what they perceived as the government’s lenient approach towards certain groups while demanding justice for the Hindu community.
As the situation in Nagamangala remains tense, opposition leaders continue to accuse the Congress government of negligence and political favouritism. With political and communal discord on the rise, all eyes are now on the state government’s next steps to address the fallout, restore peace, and respond to the mounting allegations of bias and mismanagement.
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