The dispute over the removal of a Hanuman flag in Keragodu Village, Mandya District, continues to fuel tensions between the Karnataka Government and the Opposition. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staged protests in various district headquarters to condemn the incident.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar asserted in Bengaluru that the BJP's actions were attempting to disrupt the peaceful coexistence of people in Mandya and the old Mysuru region. He emphasized the long-standing tradition of villagers in Karnataka living harmoniously and celebrating all festivals together. Shivakumar criticized the BJP's introduction of a new experiment that, he believes, threatens the unity among people.
The controversy arose when a Hanuman flag was hoisted against the Gram Panchayat's regulations, which allowed only the Tricolour or regional flags to be displayed. DK Shivakumar questioned the BJP's commitment to the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' (Every Home, a Tricolour) slogan, suggesting that they prioritize Hanuman flags over the national flag.
Minister for Agriculture, N Chaluvarayaswamy, expressed his disappointment with former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, accusing him of attempting to disturb the peace in Mandya. Chaluvarayaswamy urged Kumaraswamy to act responsibly as the leader of the Opposition and not contribute to destabilizing the region. He emphasized the need for everyone to tread the right path for the benefit of the people.
MP Sumalatha Ambareesh from Mandya criticized the government's defense, questioning why it focused on the Hanuman flag while ignoring issues like illegal mining and lake encroachments. She argued that the flag did not offend any religious sentiments and could have been resolved peacefully through discussions with the villagers.
The Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) took to social media, claiming that Lord Hanuman would bring about the end of the Congress party, which they accused of acting like a chameleon in the state. The JD-S defended the saffron color as a tradition and symbol of local culture, criticizing those who do not respect their religion and indulge in appeasement politics.
The situation remains tense, with political parties using the incident to score points against each other, while local sentiments and cultural aspects are being hotly debated.
(With Agency Inputs)
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