Maddur town in Karnataka’s Mandya district is observing a bandh today (Tuesday) after tension erupted on Sunday during a Ganesha idol immersion procession.
Right-wing organisations had given the bandh call in protest against the stone-pelting incident on Sunday night, which left 13 people injured.
The police have imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144, banning rallies and gatherings until Wednesday morning, according to a report by The Times of India.
Over 1,000 police personnel have been deployed in and around Maddur to maintain peace. Authorities say they have made elaborate security arrangements since another round of idol immersions is scheduled on Wednesday.
Mandya Superintendent of Police Mallikarjun Baladandi confirmed that strict orders had been issued to prevent rallies or mass gatherings in view of the bandh. “We have made elaborate arrangements, especially for today's Maddur Bandh... but we have asked not to conduct any rally and assemble anywhere. Section 144 has already been imposed. It will be in effect until tomorrow morning. So, based on the situation, we will take up the call,” ANI quoted Baladandi as saying.
The trouble began around 9 pm on Sunday when stones were thrown at a procession during the Ganesha idol immersion in Maddur, about 85 km from Bengaluru. According to the report, the stones were hurled from the direction of a mosque.
The attack left several people injured and led to chaos. However, the police quickly stepped in and dispersed the angry crowd before the situation could escalate further. The idols were later immersed peacefully in a lake outside the town.
The town remained shut voluntarily on Monday as a mark of protest. Pro-Hindutva activists and right-wing groups staged demonstrations demanding justice and action against those behind the stone-pelting.
The protesters, who began their march from the Ugra Narasimha Swamy temple, sought permission to move through Kemmanu Nala Circle, an area where a mosque is located.
But the police denied them permission to avoid further clashes. When a few protesters tried to break the barricades, police resorted to lathicharge to control the situation.
While Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and district minister N Cheluvarayaswamy accused the BJP of deliberately instigating trouble to disturb communal harmony, opposition leaders hit back at the state government.
Cheluvarayaswamy claimed that the stone-pelting appeared to be preplanned, pointing out that streetlights had been switched off just before the attack.
Siddaramaiah assured that strict action would be taken against those found guilty and said that 25 arrests had already been made.
BJP leaders, however, strongly criticised the Congress government. Party functionary R Ashoka alleged that Hindus were being denied religious freedom. "Is this a state in India or has it become a mini-Pakistan? There is no religious freedom for Hindus. The govt is responsible for the law-and-order breakdown,” he asked.
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