The ongoing struggle of the Panchamasali Lingayat community for the 2A reservation turned tragic as police resorted to lathi-charge against peaceful protesters near the Suvarna Soudha. The situation escalated dramatically as demonstrators attempted to lay siege to the legislative building, leading to injuries on both sides. The incident has sparked outrage and raised questions about the state government’s protest handling.
Clash and Lathi-Charge: A Grim Reality
Tensions peaked when the protesters, demanding the Chief Minister’s presence, pushed through barricades to enter the Suvarna Soudha. In response, the police resorted to a lathi charge, injuring over fifty protesters, including women and elderly participants. Many sustained severe injuries, including fractures and head wounds. On the police’s side, more than twenty officers were hurt, and vehicles were damaged during the scuffle.
The violence unfolded on National Highway 4, leading to chaos as demonstrators blocked the Pune-Bengaluru highway, causing a massive six-kilometre traffic jam. The disruption showcased the intensity of the protesters’ anger and the communication breakdown between the government and the aggrieved community.
The police detained several prominent protest leaders, including Kudalasangama Basavajaya Mrityunjaya Swamiji, a spiritual and community leader spearheading the agitation. Political figures, such as MLAs Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, Iranna Kadadi, and Arvind Bellad, were also taken into custody and later released. The forceful detainment of these leaders has further fueled the community’s resentment.
Swamiji’s Strong Rebuke of the Government
Addressing the media after his release, Mrityunjaya Swamiji condemned the police’s actions and accused the government of using brute force to suppress the community’s legitimate demands.
“Our struggle was peaceful; we only demanded that the Chief Minister meet us and hear our concerns. Instead, the government chose violence, breaking the limbs of innocent people. This is an attack on the dignity of the Lingayat community,” Swamiji said.
He also hinted at a conspiracy behind the lathi charge, suggesting the Chief Minister might have ordered it out of frustration. “This government has shown its true face by attacking the Panchamasali children who carried garlands to Chennamma Circle. The state must suspend the ADGP and Commissioner responsible for this brutality immediately,” he demanded.
Swamiji issued a rallying cry to the Lingayat community, urging them to block roads at the village, taluk, and district levels in protest. He also assured that the community would bear the medical expenses of those injured during the lathi charge.
He further announced, “We will not rest until we achieve justice. If this government denies our reservation, we will bring our own government in 2028 and secure our rights. This fight is far from over.”
Public Outcry and Political Fallout
The police’s excessive force has drawn widespread condemnation from human rights activists, opposition leaders, and community organizations. Critics have labelled the lathi charge as a severe overreach and a failure of the government to engage in dialogue.
The protest directly responded to the state government’s perceived apathy towards the Panchamasali community’s demand for 2A reservation, a long-standing issue tied to equitable representation and socio-economic justice.
Hitler administration; R Ashok
Opposition leader R. Ashoka has strongly condemned the alleged brutal lathi charge on Panchamasali protesters, calling the incident “inhumane.” He accused the government of adopting a “Hitler-like approach” to suppress peaceful protests.
Taking to social media platform X, Ashoka criticized the state government and questioned the Chief Minister’s stance. “Mr. CM, is there no room for peaceful protests in your Hitler-style governance? Quoting Basavanna’s teachings with words and striking with lathis—what kind of contradictory philosophy is this? Who instructed the police to take such a violent step that left protesters bleeding?” he asked.
ಬಾಯಲ್ಲಿ ಬಸವಣ್ಣನ ವಚನ, ಕೈಯಲ್ಲಿ ಲಾಠಿ ಪ್ರಹಾರ
ಪಂಚಮಸಾಲಿ ಹೋರಾಟಗಾರರ ಮೇಲೆ ಬೆಳಗಾವಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಪೊಲೀಸರು ಅಮಾನುಷವಾಗಿ ಲಾಠಿ ಚಾರ್ಜ್ ಮಾಡಿರುವುದು ಅತ್ಯಂತ ಖಂಡನೀಯವಾಗಿದ್ದು, @INCKarnataka ಸರ್ಕಾರ ತನ್ನ ಹಿಟ್ಲರ್ ಧೋರಣೆ ಮೂಲಕ ಪಂಚಮಸಾಲಿಗಳ ಹೋರಾಟವನ್ನು ಹತ್ತಿಕ್ಕಲು ಪ್ರಯತ್ನಿಸುತ್ತಿದೆ.
ಸಿಎಂ @siddaramaiah ನವರೇ, ತಮ್ಮ ಹಿಟ್ಲರ್… pic.twitter.com/Pa9wiOIR0k
— R. Ashoka (@RAshokaBJP) December 10, 2024
Ashoka emphasized that protesting is a fundamental right in a democracy. “The government must listen to the people’s grievances, pacify them, and find solutions—not to provoke an entire community by resorting to sudden lathi charges. What kind of leadership is this?” he questioned.
He urged the government to engage in dialogue with the protesters. “Invite the protesters for talks, clarify your stance on their reservation demands, and earn their trust before the situation spirals out of control,” Ashoka demanded.
The Panchamasali community has been staging protests demanding reservation benefits. The incident has sparked widespread criticism of the state government’s handling of the situation.
Stone Age government; H D Kumara Swamy
Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has accused the Karnataka Congress government of adopting “Adolf Hitler’s methods” to suppress the Panchamasali community’s protests, calling it “highly unfortunate” and akin to a “Stone Age mindset.”
In a social media post, Kumaraswamy expressed deep anguish over the alleged mistreatment of revered Panchamasali seer Sri Basava Mrutyunjaya Mahaswamiji and the community leaders.
It is extremely unfortunate that the @INCKarnataka government have chosen Adolf Hitler's path to suppress the struggle of the Panchamasali community. The disgraceful treatment of revered saints, especially Shri Shri Shri Basava Mrityunjaya Mahaswamiji, the Jagadguru of the… pic.twitter.com/9KZaVc1hZz
— ಹೆಚ್.ಡಿ.ಕುಮಾರಸ್ವಾಮಿ | HD Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) December 10, 2024
“It is deeply painful to see such disgraceful treatment of saints, including Sri Basava Mrutyunjaya Mahaswamiji and the Panchamasali Jagadgurus. Despite their continuous appeals to the government regarding their demands, the administration remained deaf and dismissive,” Kumaraswamy stated.
https://twitter.com/hd_kumaraswamy/status/1866443455385223670
He condemned the government’s actions of detaining peaceful protesters, including the seers, community leaders, and citizens, as an act of oppression.
Government Solely Responsible for Disrupting Peace
Kumaraswamy held the government accountable for the unrest. “If the government itself disrupts peace, it must bear full responsibility. The administration should immediately apologize to the revered Swamiji and the community and take urgent steps to fulfill their demands,” he urged.
The Panchamasali community has been advocating for reservation rights, and the recent incidents have drawn criticism from various quarters for the government’s approach to handling the protests.
Government shows cruelty under Rama’s name
Former minister M.P. Renukacharya strongly criticized the Congress-led Karnataka government following the police lathi-charge on protesters during the Panchamasali agitation in Belagavi. Renukacharya labelled the government as “anti-Hindu” and accused it of targeting Hindu sentiments and traditions.
“The Congress government is averse to Hindu symbols like Ram, Hanuman, and the saffron flag. When in trouble, they pretend to seek divine help, but their actions show otherwise. They are using Bhagwan Ram’s name as a mask to hide their cruelty,” Renukacharya alleged while speaking to the media in Bengaluru on December 10.
He demanded the resignation of Home Minister Dr G. Parameshwara, holding him responsible for the incident. “This anti-Hindu, anti-farmer, anti-women government must step down,” he added.
Renukacharya questioned the government’s decision to arrest seers instead of addressing their concerns. “Instead of consulting with the seers, they are arresting them. Is there a conspiracy to silence our revered leaders forever? This government is against the people and religious heads, and it deserves to fall,” he said.
BJP Leaders Stand in Solidarity
BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra and opposition leader R. Ashoka visited the protest site and met with Basava Mrutyunjaya Swamiji to express their support for the Panchamasali agitation.
Additionally, BJP leaders, including MLA Arvind Bellad and Shankar Patil Munenakoppa, visited BIMS Hospital in Belagavi to check on those injured during the protest. Local Panchamasali leaders also accompanied them to show solidarity with the protesters.
This incident has further intensified the political discourse around the ongoing Panchamasali reservation demands, with BJP leaders rallying behind the community while accusing the Congress government of insensitivity.
