Shivamogga: A major controversy has erupted in Karnataka after videos surfaced of Islamist youths allegedly shouting pro-Pakistan slogans during the Eid Milad procession in Bhadravati town of Shivamogga district. The incident, which took place at Gandhi Circle on the night of September 8, has triggered widespread outrage, with political leaders and locals calling it a direct insult to India’s sovereignty and unity.
According to eyewitnesses, when the procession halted near Mani Stand under the Halenagar police station limits, a DJ system was playing religious songs. At this point, a group of youths allegedly raised slogans of “Pakistan Zindabad”, shocking the locals who were present. Several residents captured the incident on video and later circulated it on social media, demanding immediate action.
Locals expressed deep anger, questioning why the police failed to intervene despite anti-India slogans being raised openly. “We cannot tolerate such treasonous acts on our streets. This is Bhadravati, not Lahore,” one resident said. Citizens stressed that such incidents amount to a serious threat to India’s internal security and weaken communal harmony.
National security context
The outrage has been compounded by the fact that the incident occurred barely months after the April 22, 2025 Pahalgam terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 people lost their lives. India’s armed forces had responded with ‘Operation Sindoor’, destroying Pakistan-backed terrorist camps across the border. Against this backdrop, the raising of pro-Pakistan slogans within Indian territory has been described as not just irresponsible but a betrayal of the sacrifices of soldiers who defend the nation.
BJP slams Congress, demands arrests
State BJP president BY Vijayendra issued a sharp condemnation, accusing the Congress government of nurturing an environment where anti-national elements feel emboldened.
'ಪಾಕಿಸ್ತಾನ್ ಜಿಂದಾಬಾದ್' ಕೂಗಿಸುವುದು ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್ ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ಅಜೆಂಡಾ ಆಗಿರುವಂತಿದೆ.
ವಿಧಾನಸೌಧದಲ್ಲಿಯೇ 'ಪಾಕಿಸ್ತಾನ್ ಜಿಂದಾಬಾದ್' ಕೂಗಿದ ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್ ನಿಂದ ಉತ್ತೇಜನ ಪಡೆದ ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರದ್ರೋಹಿ ದುಷ್ಕರ್ಮಿಗಳು ಈಗ ರಸ್ತೆ-ರಸ್ತೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ದೇಶದ್ರೋಹಿ ಘೋಷಣೆಗಳನ್ನು ಕೂಗಲು ಆರಂಭಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಇದೆ ನಿಟ್ಟಿನಲ್ಲಿ ನೆನ್ನೆ ಭದ್ರಾವತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆದ… pic.twitter.com/XzHZ1VGiZK
— Vijayendra Yediyurappa (@BYVijayendra) September 9, 2025
“The anti-national miscreants, encouraged by Congress appeasement, who once dared to shout ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ in the Vidhan Soudha itself, are now bringing that treason onto the streets. Yesterday’s incident in Bhadravati is nothing less than sedition. This government has turned Karnataka into a safe haven for those who insult India. We demand the immediate arrest of every individual who shouted these slogans, and they must be booked under strict sedition and anti-terror laws,” Vijayendra said in a statement.
He also linked the incident with other recent controversies in the state, including stone pelting during Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in Maddur and attempts to disrupt the upcoming Mysuru Dasara festivities. “From celebrating Pakistan to insulting Hindu festivals, this is a deliberate attempt to disturb peace in Karnataka. The Congress government’s silence is shameful,” he charged.
KS Eshwarappa fumes: “Leave India if you love Pakistan”
Former Deputy Chief Minister K.S. Eshwarappa went a step further, questioning the loyalty of those raising pro-Pakistan slogans.
“It is a matter of shame that people who eat the food of this land and breathe its air dare to shout ‘Pakistan Zindabad’. Such Muslims have no right to stay in India. If they love Pakistan so much, let them leave this country immediately. We will not tolerate traitors under the garb of religion,” Eshwarappa thundered.
He alleged that Congress’s “appeasement politics” has emboldened radical youth. “They think the Congress government will stand by them, which is why they are displaying the Palestinian flag in Kolar, throwing stones at Ganesh devotees in Maddur, and now shouting pro-Pakistan slogans in Bhadravati. This government has lost the moral right to continue,” he added.
ಸಿಎಂ @siddaramaiah , ಡಿಸಿಎಂ @DKShivakumar ಅವರೇ,
ಭದ್ರಾವತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಈದ್ ಮಿಲಾದ್ ಆಚರಣೆ ವೇಳೆ ಕೆಲ ದುಷ್ಕರ್ಮಿಗಳು ಪಾಕ್ ಪರವಾಗಿ ಘೋಷಣೆ ಕೂಗಿದ್ದಾರೆ. @INCKarnataka ಸರ್ಕಾರ , ಗೃಹ ಸಚಿವ @DrParameshwara ಪಾಕ್ ಪರ ಘೋಷಣೆ ಕೂಗಿರುವ ದೇಶದ್ರೋಹಿಗಳನ್ನು ತಕ್ಷಣ ಬಂಧಿಸಿ, ಕಠಿಣ ಕಾನೂನು ಕ್ರಮಕೈಗೊಳ್ಳಬೇಕು ಎಂದು… pic.twitter.com/v6caS3aIGT
— Janata Dal Secular (@JanataDal_S) September 9, 2025
Call for strict action
Both leaders demanded that the police register suo motu sedition cases against the culprits and trace the network behind them. They insisted that merely arresting a few youths will not suffice unless the “handlers and protectors” of such elements are exposed.
“If strict action is not taken now, such slogans will spread to every festival and public event. The Congress government is playing with fire by turning a blind eye. If they have any love or loyalty left for India, let them prove it by acting against these traitors immediately,” another BJP leader Karunakar Khasale said.
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