Shivamogga: Tension gripped parts of Shivamogga district on July 4after a shocking incident in which two youths allegedly desecrated the sacred murtis of Bhagwan Ganesha and Naga at a local park in Bangarappa Barangay near Ragigudda. The accused — identified as Rehmatullah and Saddam — have been arrested and are currently being interrogated by the police. Heavy police deployment has been enforced in Ragigudda and nearby sensitive localities to prevent any escalation.
According to police, the incident took place on July 3 evening when the two youths, believed to be Islamists , allegedly kicked the murtis of Bhagwan Ganesha and flung the Naga murti into a nearby drain before fleeing the spot. Local residents, who witnessed the act, captured videos of the verbal altercation that followed and immediately informed the Shivamogga Rural Police. Within hours, the police apprehended the suspects and restored the idols to their original sanctum.
The brazen insult to religious symbols has sparked outrage among residents and religious groups, who have demanded exemplary punishment for the culprits. A tense situation prevailed in Ragigudda for several hours on Thursday night, but timely intervention by senior police officers, including Superintendent of Police Mithun Kumar, helped defuse the atmosphere and reassure local residents.
Speaking to the media at the site, SP Mithun Kumar assured that stringent action would be taken against anyone attempting to disrupt communal harmony. “The situation is under control. We urge people not to spread rumours and maintain peace. We have secured both the accused and further investigation is underway,” he said.
Local residents alleged that the act was carried out deliberately to provoke sentiments in an area where people from different communities have coexisted peacefully for decades. “We all live together here — Hindus, Muslims, Christians — there has never been such an incident before. We want strict action so that no one dares to do this again,” said Suresh, a resident of Bangarappa Barangay.
Responding swiftly to local anger, Shivamogga City BJP MLA Channabasappa visited the park and spoke to affected residents. He demanded that the police file a strong chargesheet against the accused and take strict measures to ensure that such acts do not recur. He also urged the local administration to investigate allegations that the accused were linked to an illegal construction nearby. “No one should be allowed to challenge the peace and sanctity of this place. We will not tolerate any insult to our deities,” Channabasappa asserted.
The incident has also drawn sharp criticism from BJP state president BY Vijayendra, who accused the ruling Congress government of turning a blind eye to “anti-Hindu forces”. Condemning the desecration, Vijayendra said, “In Shivamogga, the forces that target Hindu beliefs had become silent for a few days, but now they have dared to raise their heads again. The Congress government’s soft stand has emboldened such elements.”
He warned that if the state government fails to act decisively, it will be directly responsible for any deterioration of peace in the region. “We worship Bhagwan Ganapati and Naga Devatas with devotion. Any attempt to defile these murtis is an attack on our faith. The government must ensure that the guilty face the harshest punishment under the law. If not, the people of Shivamogga know how to protect their beliefs,” he said.
Residents also called for vigilance in protecting religious sites in the area. Community elders and religious leaders have appealed to the public to maintain calm and not fall prey to provocations or rumours. Many have urged the authorities to install CCTV cameras in public parks and religious spots to deter future mischief.
Meanwhile, additional police forces have been deployed in the sensitive areas of Ragigudda, with patrolling stepped up to prevent any untoward incident. Police have urged citizens to report any suspicious activity and warned of strict action against those trying to spread misinformation on social media.
