Karnataka: BJP’s R Ashoka slams state govt over Nagamangala Riots, citing intelligence failures and biased response

The BJP leader, R  Ashoka, has asked the state government about handling the recent communal riots in Nagamangala. The riots, which broke out during the Ganapati festival procession, have sparked intense political debate and criticism from the opposition.

R. Ashoka took to social media platform ‘X’ to publicly demand answers from the state government, expressing his concerns about the apparent failures in maintaining law and order:

ನಾಗಮಂಗಲದಲ್ಲಿ ಗಣೇಶ ವಿಸರ್ಜನೆ ವೇಳೆ ನಡೆದಿರುವ ಕೋಮುಗಲಭೆ ಮತ್ತು ಘಟನೆಯ ನಂತರ ಗೃಹ ಸಚಿವರ ಬೇಜವಾಬ್ದಾರಿ ಮತ್ತು ನಿರ್ಲಕ್ಷ್ಯದ ಹೇಳಿಕೆಗಳನ್ನು ಗಮನಿಸಿದರೆ ರಾಜ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿರುವುದು ಮೂಲಭೂತವಾದಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಬೆಂಬಲ ಕೊಡುವ ತಾಲಿಬಾನ್ ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಎಂಬುದು ಮತ್ತೊಮ್ಮೆ ಸಾಬೀತಾಗಿತ್ತದೆ.

ಹಿಂದುಗಳನ್ನೇ ಗುರಿಯಾಗಿಸಿಕೊಂಡು, ಗಣೇಶ ವಿಸರ್ಜನೆಯ ಮೆರವಣಿಗೆಗೆ…

— R. Ashoka (@RAshokaBJP) September 13, 2024

1. Lack of Police Presence: “Even though there was a riot at the same place last year, why wasn’t there a strong police presence this year as a precautionary measure?” Ashoka asked, highlighting the government’s failure to prevent a recurrence of violence.
2. Intelligence Lapses: “Why did the intelligence department not provide any information about the potential for unrest despite the history of such incidents? Isn’t this a failure of the police department? Or was the intelligence simply ignored?” he questioned, raising doubts about the state’s preparedness.
3. Route Security: “Why did the police not provide adequate security along the procession route, even though a route map was submitted and permission was granted for the Ganapati procession?” Ashoka further probed, pointing to lapses in the police’s duty to ensure safety.
4. Movement of Security Forces: “Why was the District Armed Reserve (DAR) van in the town sent elsewhere after the procession started?” he asked, suggesting a deliberate attempt to undermine security.
5. Delayed Response: “Although two hours had passed since the riots began on Wednesday night, why wasn’t more police personnel, stationed just 40 km away, called in immediately?” Ashoka asked, questioning the sluggish response from the authorities.
6. Targeted FIRs: “Why has the FIR listed only Hindus from A1 to A23 and then added the names of Muslims? Isn’t this appeasement politics by the government to protect the real rioters?” Ashoka argued, suggesting bias in the handling of the case.
7. Freedom of Religious Processions: “Why is it that Karnataka, an Indian state, does not allow the Ganeshotsava procession to pass in front of mosques or dargahs?” Is Karnataka an Islamic republic? Raising questions about religious freedoms under the current administration.
8. Premeditation Evidence: “Isn’t it clear that this was a premeditated act, considering petrol bombs, stones, swords, and handguns were allegedly collected and used from within the mosque?” Ashoka alleged, hinting at a deeper conspiracy.
9. Downplaying the Violence: “Despite the use of dangerous materials and property damage amounting to Rs 25 crore, why does the Home Minister consider this a minor or accidental incident? Who is pressuring him to downplay the violence?” he questioned, hinting at possible political motives.
10. Lack of Leadership Presence: “Why hasn’t the Home Minister, Dr. G. Parameshwar, visited Nagamangala, which is only 130 km from Bangalore, despite the scale of the unrest?” Ashoka criticised the absence of senior leaders at the scene.

Ashoka’s questions are part of a broader criticism from other opposition leaders who have condemned the government’s handling of the Nagamangala riots. Speaking at the BJP state office, spokesman and Legislative Council member N. Ravikumar accused the state government of failing to protect Hindus and favouring certain groups.

“There is a government in the state that oppresses Dalits and Hindus,” Ravikumar declared, urging the governor to intervene immediately. He questioned the origin of the stones, machetes, and petrol bombs used during the riots and criticised the government for its inaction.

State BJP General Secretary Sunila Kumar echoed similar sentiments, suggesting that the police had been influenced by the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) and accusing them of failing to maintain order. “The Nagamangala incident was a pre-planned act,” Kumar asserted during a press conference in Belgaum.

Kumar also criticised the government for favouring specific groups, stating, “This is a testimony to the atmosphere of anxiety created by the state’s policies. Hindu shops were targeted, and the Home Minister’s dismissal of the incident as minor reflects his politics of favouritism.” He demanded compensation for the victims and the withdrawal of charges against the arrested individuals.

Further condemning the government, MP Jagadish Shettar accused the Congress of having a history of encouraging communal violence. “Such incidents happen whenever the Congress government comes to power. This is an example of their appeasement policy,” Shettar argued.

He claimed that the state government is protecting those responsible for instigating the riots, suggesting a deliberate attempt to polarise communities for political gain.

The opposition’s criticism of the Congress-led government over the Nagamangala riots reflects a broader political battle, with leaders calling for accountability and immediate intervention to restore peace and justice in the affected areas. As the situation remains tense, the government faces mounting pressure to answer these questions and take corrective measures to prevent further violence.

Following a communal riot in Nagamangala on September 13, the state government transferred intelligence additional director general of police K V Sharath Chandra and appointed Hemanth Nimbalkar as intelligence ADGP. Hemant Nimbalkar’s wife, Anjali Nimbalkar, is a Congress MLA. She contested the Lok Sabha elections from Uttara Kannada. Therefore, Hemant is considered close to Congress leaders in the political sphere.

During the Siddaramaiah administration from 2013 to 2018, Hemant Nimbalkar served as the Chief of the Intelligence Department. Siddaramaiah has effectively reinstated Hemant Nimbalkar in the same role.

The Nagamangala riot in Mandya district is currently a topic of much discussion. The case has become political, raising further suspicion and curiosity about the recent changes in the intelligence department leadership.

K V Sarath Chandra has been appointed as the ADGP of the Recruitment Department and given additional charge as Traffic and Road Safety Commissioner. Hemant Nimbalkar has been appointed as the ADGP of the Intelligence Department and given additional charge as Commissioner of the Information and Public Relations Department.

Hemant Nimbalkar is a 1998 batch IPS officer of the Karnataka cadre. He was appointed Information and Public Relations Department Commissioner in June 2023. Previously, Hemant Nimbalkar has held various positions, including Belagavi SP, Joint Commissioner (CCB) Bangalore, Additional Commissioner (East), Additional Commissioner (Administration), and CID IGP.