Mysuru: A Ganapati murti immersion procession was taken out in T. Narasipura on September 18 amid heavy police deployment following days of controversy over its proposed route and alleged remarks by a local police inspector. The procession passed off without any major untoward incident, despite heightened tension and the presence of a large number of police personnel.
The dispute had centred on the route proposed by Hindu Jagarana Vedike and other organisers. The organisers had announced that the procession would pass through Link Road, where a mosque is located. The issue intensified after comments attributed to T. Narasipura police inspector Dhananjay regarding the procession and the use of crackers near the mosque triggered protests from BJP leaders and Hindu organisations.
— Prathap Simha (@mepratap) September 18, 2026
However, Mysuru district Superintendent of Police Mallikarjun Baladandi had earlier clarified that there were no restrictions on traditional Ganapati procession routes. He said organisers could follow the routes used during previous years.
On Friday, the procession went ahead through the disputed stretch as announced by the organisers. Hundreds of participants joined the event, accompanied by folk cultural teams and music. Former Mysuru MP Pratap Simha also took part in the procession and was seen carrying a Hindu flag and interacting with participants.
ಹಿಂದೂ ಜಾಗರಣ ವೇದಿಕೆ ,ಹಿಂದೂ ಮಹಾಗಣಪತಿ ಪ್ರತಿಷ್ಠಾಪನ ಸಮಿತಿ ವತಿಯಿಂದ ಟಿ. ನರಸೀಪುರದಲ್ಲಿ ಏರ್ಪಡಿಸಲಾಗಿದ್ದ ಹಿಂದೂ ಮಹಾಗಣಪತಿಯ ಬೃಹತ್ ಶೋಭಾಯಾತ್ರೆ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮದಲ್ಲಿ. pic.twitter.com/qAEtDnbMUL
— Prathap Simha (@mepratap) September 18, 2026
At one point, crackers were burst in front of a mosque along the procession route. Police personnel present at the location monitored the situation and ensured that the procession continued without escalation. The event eventually concluded peacefully, according to reports from the ground.
The police had made extensive security arrangements in anticipation of the procession. More than 600 personnel were deployed in the town in connection with the Ganapati procession and a separate Constitution Harmony Rath Yatra. The security arrangements were supervised by SP Mallikarjun Baladandi.
The controversy over the procession had taken a turn earlier in the week as BJP leaders had demanded action against Inspector Dhananjay over remarks that they alleged amounted to restrictions on the religious procession. BJP state leaders, including Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka, had questioned the government’s handling of the issue and sought the suspension of the inspector. The government and police, however, maintained that the focus was on maintaining law and order and ensuring that traditional procession routes remained available.
The issue also drew the attention of former MP Pratap Simha, who had publicly criticised the inspector’s reported comments. Ahead of the procession, Simha had said that Ganapati processions had been conducted in the town in the past and indicated that he would participate in the September 18 event.
During Friday’s procession, Simha addressed participants and criticised the police official. His participation added a political dimension to an event that had already become a subject of intense public debate. Reports also said he joined participants during the procession and waved the Hindu flag.
At the same time, a separate Constitution Harmony Rath Yatra and harmony march was organised in T. Narasipura. Reportedly, scheduled caste organisations and other groups participated in the programme, which was held earlier in the day with the stated objective of promoting communal harmony and social unity. The two events were held at different times, with the harmony march taking place around noon and the Ganapati procession beginning later in the afternoon.
The administration had been particularly cautious because the issue had generated political protests and competing claims over the procession route.
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had also directed the police to remain alert in view of the developing situation. The police subsequently increased security arrangements in and around the town to prevent any confrontation.
The events of September 18 were therefore closely watched by the district administration and police, given the sensitivity surrounding the procession route and the presence of a mosque along the stretch. Police personnel were deployed at strategic locations, while senior officers monitored the movement of the procession.
