MYSURU: The controversy surrounding the remarks of T. Narasipura Police Inspector Dhananjaya ahead of the Ganeshotsav celebrations has taken a fresh turn with police registering a case against Manjunath, editor of a local private television channel, for allegedly editing and circulating a video of the officer’s remarks in a manner that could create fear and communal discord.
The development comes amid a political controversy over Dhananjaya’s remarks at a peace meeting held ahead of the Gauri-Ganesha festival. While Congress leaders, including Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, have backed the officer’s stated position on maintaining law and order and ensuring peaceful celebrations, the opposition BJP has criticised the inspector and demanded action. The controversy has now widened with the registration of a separate case concerning the circulation of the video.
According to the complaint filed by T. Narasipura police constable Yashwanth, the peace meeting was held at the police station on September 7 with representatives and leaders of different communities ahead of the festival. The meeting aimed to discuss arrangements and ensure the Ganesha festivities and immersion procession were conducted peacefully, without creating law-and-order problems.
The complaint alleges that Dhananjaya addressed the gathering for nearly an hour and explained the restrictions and precautions that organisers were expected to follow during the celebrations. He reportedly referred to incidents during previous years in which some youngsters had allegedly installed Ganesha idols without permission, engaged in dancing on a mosque road and raised provocative slogans.
The inspector’s remarks subsequently became the centre of a political dispute after portions of the meeting were circulated on social media. The video showed Dhananjaya warning organisers not to violate the approved arrangements, particularly regarding the procession route and activities near a mosque.
Independent reports of the original meeting indicate that Dhananjaya told organisers to celebrate peacefully and not inconvenience or hurt members of other communities. He also warned against bursting crackers near a mosque and said strict action would be taken for violations.
However, the complaint filed by constable Yashwanth alleges that the media had the complete recording of the meeting. Still, only a portion of the inspector’s remarks was later edited and uploaded to an Instagram account run by the local channel editor.
According to the complaint, the editor selectively used about nine to 10 minutes from the latter part of the meeting. The complaint alleges that the edited portion gave an impression that the inspector had issued a direct threat to members of the Hindu community if they took the Ganesha procession along the mosque road.
The allegedly edited video was then widely downloaded and shared across social media platforms. Police alleged that its circulation could have created fear and tension among members of different communities and could have affected the atmosphere during the forthcoming Ganesha immersion procession.
Based on the complaint, police registered an FIR against the private channel editor under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to dissemination of false information or reports through electronic devices or social media that could cause public fear or alarm, as well as provisions concerning promotion of enmity or hostility between different religious, caste, linguistic or community groups.
The exact circumstances surrounding the video’s preparation and circulation will be investigated. The registration of an FIR itself does not establish the allegations against the accused, and the claims regarding deliberate editing and intent will have to be established through the investigation.
The case has emerged against the backdrop of a wider political dispute over the T. Narasipura inspector’s remarks. BJP leaders had travelled to the town and protested against what they described as restrictions and threatening language used against Ganesha festival organisers. Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka and other BJP leaders demanded action against Dhananjaya.
The government, however, has maintained that the police were acting within the framework of existing rules governing public celebrations and processions. Home Minister Priyank Kharge said the government would await the Superintendent of Police’s report before deciding on any action against the inspector. He also said the rules being enforced were not new and had existed earlier.
The inspector’s original remarks, as reported from the peace meeting, also included directions relating to sound systems and timings. Dhananjaya reportedly told organisers not to use DJ-type sound systems under the guise of an orchestra and to ensure celebrations with amplified sound comply with the prescribed night-time restrictions.
