‘Are We In India Or Pakistan?’ – Alleged Restrictions on Ganesh Chaturthi Procession in Karnataka
A fresh controversy has erupted in Karnataka over restrictions on Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. Karnataka BJP leader and Leader of Opposition R Ashoka claimed that a police officer in T Narasipura, Mysuru, had imposed restrictions on celebrating the festival.
He alleged that the police officer called the organisers of the Ganesh festival and warned them against going near a mosque, taking out a procession, bursting firecrackers or raising slogans. Ashoka blamed the Congress government for the alleged restrictions and said that since it came to power, Hindus have not been allowed to celebrate Ganeshotsav peacefully.
Questioning the alleged restrictions on processions and Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, Opposition leader R Ashoka said, “Are we in India or Pakistan? This question is troubling us. Ganpati came 3,000 years ago, while the mosque was built 300 years ago.”
The BJP leader further alleged that the issue of calling organisers and threatening them is not limited to Mysuru but is happening across Karnataka. He claimed that police officers are summoning Ganesh Chaturthi organisers and threatening them.
Ashoka also alleged that the Congress government was creating difficulties for people organising Ganpati celebrations by making them obtain permission. He demanded the suspension of the police inspector who allegedly issued the threats.
The BJP said that Ganpati celebrations began during the freedom struggle against the British and claimed that the British had not required people to seek permission to organise the festival.
