BJP, JD(S) protest against removal of Hanuman flag in Keragodu village, processionists caned

BENGALURU, MANDYA: The BJP staged a state-wide protest against removal of the Hanuman flag from a flag post at Keragodu in Mandya district. The party leaders and workers, along with JD(S) leaders, also took out a padayatra from the village to the deputy commissioner’s office in Mandya.

The BJP held a statewide protest on Monday.

In Bengaluru, the protest was led by Opposition leader in the Assembly, R Ashoka and Jayanagar MLA C K Ramamurthy, city MLAs and MLCs. The protesters were detained by the police at Mysore Bank Circle after they raised slogans against the Congress government and chanted ‘Jai Sri Ram’. Ramamurthy said they were taken into custody even before Ashoka and Basavaraj Bommai could arrive at the protest site.

The BJP leaders were detained when they tried to take out a protest march from Mysore Bank Circle.

Ashoka and Basavaraj Bommai later proceeded to Kolar to participate in a protest to demand release of drought relief for affected farmers.

At Keragodu, the protesters first offered prayers at the Anjaneya Swami temple and took out a 15-km padayatra through Satanur and Chikka Mandya via the Kalikama temple, heading towards the DC’s office in Mandya. Heavy police force was deployed to prevent any flareups.

Posters and flexes were torn during the padayatra.

During the padayatra, some youths tore up Congress banners and threw footwear at them. They also tore down flexes in Mandya city, prompting the police to lathicharge them. The protesters also tore down posters of Mandya MLA Ravi Ganiga along the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway and threw stones.

The police resorted to lathicharge in Mandya.

Former BJP national general secretary CT Ravi dared the Congress government saying, “We will put up Hanuman flags on each house, stop us if you have the guts. Out fight is against those who are opposed to Hindus. The Congress government, which brought down the Hanuman flag, will be reduced to ashes”.

Terming Chief Minister Siddaramaiah as a ‘modern day Tipu Sultan’, Ravi said the Congress had invited trouble by bringing down the Hanuman flag. “The Congress will lose all the 28 Lok Sabha seats. The CM should seek public apology. The Mandya district administration has sinned. Congress khel khatam”, he said.

Former CM HD Kumaraswamy and BJP leader C T Ravi addressing the protesters.

Janata Dal (Secular) leader and former CM H D Kumaraswamy, targeting the Congress, said, “We have double the respect than you for the Tricolour and the Kannada flag. This only shows the arrogance of the government. One person sustained injury in th eye during the lathicharge. If the individual had lost an eye, would the SP have given him sight? The lathcharge shows the demonic attitude of the government. The Mandya DC is responsible for the current situation and should be transferred. I am warning the Siddaramaiah government to mend its ways”, he said.—————————-