Mysuru: A controversy has erupted in Karnataka’s Mysuru district after a video purportedly showing a police officer warning organisers of a Ganesh procession against passing near a mosque and bursting firecrackers triggered sharp political reactions on Sunday.
The issue, which began with remarks attributed to a police officer in T. Narasipura, quickly turned into a political confrontation between the ruling Congress and the Opposition BJP. However, the Mysuru police later clarified that there is no new restriction on traditional routes used for Ganesh processions, adding that organisers can follow the same routes they used last year.
Mysuru Superintendent of Police Mallikarjun Baladandi said there was no ban or fresh restriction on traditional procession routes in T. Narasipura. He said the town has around 15 to 20 Ganesh pandals, with immersions being conducted on different days, and organisers would be allowed to follow their established routes.
“Whatever Ganesh processions went where last year and whatever routes they followed, there is no restriction of any kind on following the same routes this year,” Baladandi said, according to reports. He also rejected the suggestion that police had assumed devotees would burst crackers near a mosque.
What triggered the controversy?
The controversy centres on a video that circulated on social media showing a police officer speaking to Ganesh festival organisers in the T. Narasipura area.
In the video, the officer is heard describing the matter as sensitive and warning organisers against taking the procession along a particular route near a mosque. He also objected to firecrackers being burst in the vicinity.
The remarks prompted BJP leaders to allege that the Congress government was placing unreasonable restrictions on Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations.
BJP MP Yaduveer Wadiyar criticised the reported warning and argued that public roads should remain accessible for religious processions while the administration ensures law and order. He accused the authorities of disrespecting Hindu traditions and said celebrations should not be curtailed merely because a route passes near a mosque.
R Ashoka demands action against police officer
Karnataka Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka escalated the issue, alleging that the police officer had told Ganesh festival organisers not to go near mosques, hold processions, burst crackers or raise slogans.
Ashoka accused the Congress government of creating difficulties for Ganeshotsava celebrations and claimed that similar restrictions were being imposed elsewhere in the state. He later joined a protest in T. Narasipura and demanded action against the police officer involved.
The BJP has portrayed the episode as an example of what it describes as the government’s alleged anti Hindu approach.
Police reject claim of a new route restriction
The police clarification has significantly changed the picture.
Mysuru SP Mallikarjun Baladandi said the administration had not introduced any new restriction on traditional Ganesh procession routes in T. Narasipura.
According to the police, organisers can continue to use the routes followed during previous years. The SP specifically said there was no problem with processions going to the same locations and following the same routes as last year.
This clarification is important because the viral video and the subsequent political statements had created the impression that a formal ban had been imposed on Ganesh processions passing near mosques. The police position, however, is that no such new blanket restriction exists.
DK Shivakumar accuses BJP of trying to create unrest
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar hit back at the BJP amid the escalating controversy.
Shivakumar said Ganesh Utsav would be celebrated peacefully across Karnataka and accused the Opposition of attempting to create unrest around the festival.
He also rejected the BJP’s attempt to portray Ganesh celebrations as belonging to a particular political party, saying the festival belongs to everyone and that the state government was encouraging its observance.
The Chief Minister has also directed police to remain alert amid tensions surrounding the dispute, after the BJP threatened stronger protests over the alleged restrictions.
The larger issue: celebration versus law and order
At the heart of the controversy is a familiar challenge for local administrations during major religious festivals how to allow traditional celebrations while preventing clashes, public disorder and disruption.
The BJP argues that devotees should not be prevented from using public roads because a procession passes near a place of worship. Police authorities, meanwhile, have a responsibility to assess local conditions and maintain public order.
In this particular case, however, the Mysuru police have now stated that traditional Ganesh procession routes remain open and that no new restrictions have been imposed.
That clarification means the controversy currently revolves less around an officially announced route ban and more around the remarks attributed to an individual police officer, their interpretation, and the political reaction that followed.
With Ganesh celebrations continuing across Karnataka, the episode has added another layer of political tension between the Congress government and the BJP, with both sides accusing the other of politicising a religious festival.
As of Sunday evening, September 13, the official position stated by the Mysuru SP is that traditional Ganesh procession routes in T. Narasipura remain permitted and that no new restrictions have been introduced.
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