DHARWAD: Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has alleged that the attack on Lord Ganesha procession in Nagamangala of Mandya district on Wednesday night was “well-planned”. He also accused the Congress government of shielding those responsible for “such heinous acts”.
On Wednesday, a riot broke out in Nagamangala following stone-pelting and hurling of crude bombs at a Ganapati immersion procession. “It is a very unfortunate incident and the role of the government is very unfortunate…It was a well-planned attack on the procession of Lord Ganesha…In spite of that, the Congress government says that it is not communal violence…They are trying to protect the people involved in such heinous acts”, Joshi said.
Joshi also alleged that the stone-pelting incident was a deliberate attack on a Hindu festival. “It is a well-planned attack on Hindus and they tried to create communal divide. They should be punished they should be put behind bars… it is a clear-cut attack on Hindu festival and Hindu processions”, he added.
#WATCH | On Nagamangala stone pelting, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi says, “It is a very unfortunate decision and their role of the government is very unfortunate…It was a well-planned attack on the procession of Lord Ganesha…In spite of that Congress government says that it… pic.twitter.com/o610cgz218
— ANI (@ANI) September 12, 2024
On Thursday, Union Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje had demanded that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) investigate the Nagamangala incident. “Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is against Hindus, he is only appeasing the minorities. I demand the arrest of the culprits. Only Hindus have been arrested in this incident. An inquiry should be launched into this incident. The NIA should probe this incident to bring out the truth”, Karandlaje said.
Shobha Karandlaje also criticised Siddaramaiah, saying, “Whenever there is Siddaramaiah government in Karnataka, there is action against Hindus. What happened in Mandya yesterday is an insult to Lord Ganesha and Hindus. The government says this was a minor incident. If the burning of 25 shops of Hindus seems like a small incident to you, then what should have been a big incident?”
Following the riots, Mandya district Deputy Commissioner Dr Kumar said that 54 people were taken into custody and sufficient security force was deployed as precautionary measures.
“The situation is under control. We have deployed sufficient force and taken all precautionary measures. Fifty-four people have been arrested in this incident. We are assessing the damage”, he sid.
As per the Mandya police, seven bikes and six small shops were burnt, and a total of 15 bikes and a car were slightly damaged during the incident. (ANI)