Tensions are escalating in Mandya district after a police raid on the Pandavapura RSS office led to strong condemnation from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The raid, which took place on September 15, has sparked outrage among BJP members, who allege that the police not only entered the RSS office to arrest leaders from the Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) but also walked around inside with their shoes on, a gesture seen as deeply disrespectful.
BJP workers staged protests outside the Pandavapura police station, demanding the suspension of the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) and the inspector involved in the raid. Protesters claimed that the RSS office is regarded as a temple by its members and that the police’s actions were an affront to their religious sentiments.
On social media, the Karnataka BJP condemned the incident on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, calling it “unforgivable violence against the Sangh campaigners.” The party further accused the Congress-led state government of fostering an atmosphere of fear among Hindus. “Anarchy has increased during the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government, creating a situation where Hindus live in a climate of fear,” the BJP’s statement read.
ಮಂಡ್ಯ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಯ ಪಾಂಡವಪುರದ ಆರ್ಎಸ್ಎಸ್ ಕಾರ್ಯಾಲಯಕ್ಕೆ ರಾತ್ರೋರಾತ್ರಿ ಪೊಲೀಸರು ನುಗ್ಗಿ, ಸಂಘದ ಪ್ರಚಾರಕರ ಮೇಲೆ ದೌರ್ಜನ್ಯ ನಡೆಸಿದ್ದು ಅಕ್ಷಮ್ಯ.
ಸಂಘದ ಕಾರ್ಯಾಲಯಕ್ಕೆ ಸಕಾರಣವಿಲ್ಲದೆ ದಾಳಿ ನಡೆಸಿದ ಘಟನೆಯನ್ನು ಬಿಜೆಪಿ ತೀವ್ರವಾಗಿ ಖಂಡಿಸುತ್ತದೆ.@siddaramaiah ಅವರ ನೇತೃತ್ವದ @INCKarnataka ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ಅವಧಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಅರಾಜಕತೆ… pic.twitter.com/WCu6OeLdFx
— BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) September 16, 2024
The BJP took its criticism further by accusing the Congress of misusing police power to target its political rivals and create instability in the state. They likened Congress’ actions to “Hitler’s politics,” alleging that the party was leaving “fanatics who openly challenge Hindus free” while cracking down on “patriotic volunteers.”
The protests and accusations come from escalating tensions in Mandya, particularly following a riot during the Ganesh festival procession in Nagamangala. Opposition leader R Ashok added fuel to the fire by alleging that members of banned organisations were involved in the riots, further intensifying suspicions of a larger conspiracy.
PFI terrorists from Kerala are suspected to have orchestrated anti-Hindu riots in Mandya, targeting shops, homes, and vehicles belonging to Kannadigas. The FIR lists members of the now-banned PFI terrorist organization. Every time Congress is in power, it seems terrorists find a… pic.twitter.com/TeW1RB8Dt8
— BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) September 16, 2024
Ashok claimed that eyewitnesses had reported hearing pro-Pakistan slogans during the communal violence that took place on the night of September 13. “Three miscreants shouted ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ during the Ganesh festival procession, and there are strong suspicions that banned organizations were involved,” Ashok stated. He further alleged that individuals from Kerala and organizations like the Popular Front of India (PFI) were behind the unrest.
Citing the Nagamangala riots and similar incidents across the state, Ashok has demanded that the investigation be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). He argued that the local police were not equipped to handle the situation, given the suspected inter-state and international links to religious fundamentalist groups.
“The involvement of Kerala natives and banned organizations in these riots shows that this is part of a larger, systematic network targeting Hindu festivals and celebrations,” Ashok said. He also referenced other communal incidents, including clashes in Mangaluru and Chikkamagaluru, where individuals allegedly carried Palestinian flags and attacked Hindu youths.
Ashok warned that these incidents could be part of a broader attempt to create divisions within Indian society, a concern exacerbated by the recent communal flare-ups. “It is impossible for the local police to crack down on such a network. I urge Home Minister G Parameshwara and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to hand over these cases to the NIA immediately,” Ashok said in his statement.
The issue has quickly turned into a political battle, with the BJP using the incident to attack the ruling Congress government. The names of two individuals from Kerala, now included in the FIR related to the Nagamangala riots, have given the opposition more ammunition. Ashok accused the Congress government of allowing communal elements to operate freely under its rule.
“Congress is ready to create division again,” Ashok alleged, referring to Nagamangala, Mangaluru, and Chikkamagaluru incidents. He linked the unrest to broader issues, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s international criticism of India, accusing the party of undermining national unity.
ನಾಗಮಂಗಲ ಕೋಮುಗಲಭೆ ವೇಳೆ ಪಾಕ್ ಪರ ಘೋಷಣೆ?
ನಾಗಮಂಗಲದಲ್ಲಿ ಬುಧವಾರ ರಾತ್ರಿ ಗಣೇಶ ವಿಸರ್ಜನೆ ವೇಳೆ ನಡೆದ ಕೋಮುಗಲಭೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮೂವರು ಕಿಡಿಗೇಡಿಗಳು ಪಾಕಿಸ್ತಾನ ಜಿಂದಾಬಾದ್ ಘೋಷಣೆಗಳು ಕೂಗಿದ್ದಾರೆ ಎಂದು ಪ್ರತ್ಯಕ್ಷದರ್ಶಿಗಳ ಹೇಳುತ್ತಿದ್ದು, ಈ ಕೋಮುದಳ್ಳುರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ನಿಷೇಧಿತ ಸಂಘಟನೆಗಳ ಕೈವಾಡವಿರುವ ಅನುಮಾನ ಮತ್ತಷ್ಟು ಗಟ್ಟಿಯಾಗಿತ್ತಿದೆ.… pic.twitter.com/GmyxMyiZIZ
— R. Ashoka (@RAshokaBJP) September 16, 2024
Ashok concluded his statements with a stark warning about the growing threat of terrorism and radical elements in Karnataka. He demanded that the NIA investigate the origin of bomb-making materials and whether these were being sourced from local mosques or brought in from outside the state. “For the security of the country, the NIA must investigate these incidents thoroughly,” he urged.
ಸಿದ್ದರಾಮಯ್ಯ ಸರ್ಕಾರದಲ್ಲಿ ಎಗ್ಗಿಲ್ಲದೆ ನಡೆಯುತ್ತಿದೆ ಮತಾಂಧರ ಉಪಟಳ.
ದಾವಣಗೆರೆಯ ಗಾಂಧಿನಗರ ಹಾಗೂ ಅಹ್ಮದ್ ನಗರದಲ್ಲಿ ಹಿಂದೂ ಯುವಕರು ಬಾವುಟ ಕಟ್ಟಿದ್ದಕ್ಕೆ ಮತಾಂಧ ಪುಂಡರು ಅವರ ಮೇಲೆ ಹಲ್ಲೆ ಮಾಡಿದ್ದಾರೆ.
ಇದನ್ನು ನೋಡಿದರೆ ಕರುನಾಡಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಮತಾಂಧರ ಮಾತಾಂಧತೆಯನ್ನು ಪ್ರಶ್ನಿಸಬೇಕಾದ ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಕಣ್ಣು, ಕಿವಿ, ಬಾಯಿ ಮುಚ್ಚಿ ಕುಳಿತಂತಿದೆ.… pic.twitter.com/l3GMp5FY1o
— BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) September 15, 2024
The police raid on the RSS office and the subsequent communal riots in Mandya district have escalated into a significant political controversy in Karnataka. The BJP has made strong accusations against the Congress government, calling for swift action and an NIA-led investigation into the incidents. As tensions rise, the situation continues to fuel a broader debate about law enforcement, communal harmony, and political manoeuvring in the state.
