Karnataka BJP dares CM Shivakumar to ban Muslim processions near temples
Synopsis
A police inspector's reported remarks about a Ganesh procession route in T. Narasipura have ignited a full-blown political storm in Karnataka. BJP's R. Ashoka has dared CM Shivakumar to legislate equally against Muslim processions near temples — and the Hindu Jagarana Vedike is already mobilising 5,000 for a Shobha Yatra on September 18, turning a local law-and-order footnote into a statewide communal flashpoint.
Key Takeaways
Ashoka , Leader of the Opposition in Karnataka , on 16 September challenged CM D.K.
Shivakumar to ban Muslim processions near Hindu temples if Ganesh processions are restricted near mosques.
The row began over remarks reportedly made by a police inspector in T.
Narasipura, Mysuru district , about the route of a Ganesh procession.
Ashoka alleged the same inspector faced prior allegations of assaulting Dalit youths, harming a woman, and corruption.
The Hindu Jagarana Vedike has announced a Shobha Yatra on 18 September in T.
Narasipura, expecting around 5,000 participants from Mysuru , Mandya , and Chamarajanagar districts.
Mysuru SP Mallikarjun Baladandi clarified that no restrictions have been placed on traditional Ganesh procession routes in T.
Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, R. Ashoka, on Wednesday, 16 September challenged Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to introduce legislation barring Muslim religious processions from passing through areas with Hindu temples — if the state government intended to impose similar restrictions on Ganesh processions near mosques. The remarks sharply escalated a political row that began in T. Narasipura town in Mysuru district over a police inspector's reported comments about a Ganesh procession route.
The Trigger: T. Narasipura Procession Controversy
The standoff traces back to remarks reportedly made by a police inspector in T. Narasipura regarding the route of a local Ganesh procession near a mosque. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staged a protest at T. Narasipura over the episode. Chief Minister Shivakumar defended the police response, arguing that the warning was issued solely to prevent any untoward incident and that the BJP was deliberately politicising a routine law-and-order measure.
What Ashoka Said
Ashoka rejected the Chief Minister's defence in pointed terms. 'I also want to consider that D.K. Shivakumar is a Chief Minister. I wanted to see him as a statesman. By supporting a police inspector of a rural region, if Shivakumar says that domination and scolding are part of policing, then what message is being sent?' he said.
The Opposition leader further alleged that the same inspector faced allegations of assaulting Dalit youths, damaging a woman's life, and corruption — questioning why the Chief Minister chose to publicly back the officer. Ashoka warned that the inspector's reported remarks, if left unchallenged, could set a precedent for similar restrictions on Hindu processions across the state. 'This is Ganesh festival. If this message goes on, this will be replicated by all police stations. I had expected much more from CM Shivakumar,' he said.
The Reciprocity Challenge
Ashoka then issued a direct legislative dare to the Congress-led government. 'You are all set to bring an Act to regulate RSS marches. I challenge you to bring another Act prohibiting Ganesh processions in front of mosques in the state. Issue an order. Likewise, Muslim processions should not enter areas where Hindu temples are located. It must also apply to Jains and Sikhs,' he said. He alleged the state was applying a 'one-sided' standard — citing a stone-pelting incident at a Ganesh procession in Maddur last year — and demanded the government use identical language when addressing communal friction involving all communities.
Shobha Yatra Planned for September 18
Amid the escalating rhetoric, the Hindu Jagarana Vedike announced a Shobha Yatra in T. Narasipura on 18 September, said to be held to condemn the inspector's reported remarks. The organisation said around 5,000 people are expected to participate, with the procession covering approximately 2.5 km along Link Road. Volunteers have reportedly been mobilised from Mysuru, Mandya, and Chamarajanagar districts.
Police Clarification
Seeking to defuse the situation, Mysuru Superintendent of Police Mallikarjun Baladandi clarified that no restrictions have been imposed on traditional procession routes in T. Narasipura. According to the SP, Ganesh processions are free to follow the same routes used in the previous year. The clarification, however, has not dampened the political temperature ahead of the planned 18 September rally.
The episode is the latest in a series of communal flashpoints in Karnataka that have sharpened the rivalry between the ruling Indian National Congress (Congress) and the BJP ahead of local-body elections. How the Shivakumar government responds to the Shobha Yatra — and whether the inspector faces any departmental action — will determine whether the controversy intensifies or subsides.
Point of View
And both parties know it. What matters more is the pattern: a police inspector's offhand remark becomes a 5,000-person mobilisation within days, illustrating how thin the margin between routine policing and communal escalation has become in Karnataka. The Shivakumar government's silence on the inspector's alleged prior misconduct is the accountability gap mainstream coverage is missing.
NationPress
16 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What sparked the political controversy in T. Narasipura, Karnataka?
A police inspector in T. Narasipura, Mysuru district, reportedly made remarks about restricting the route of a Ganesh procession near a mosque, triggering a BJP protest and sharp political exchanges. Chief Minister Shivakumar defended the police action as a routine precaution, while the BJP accused the government of targeting Hindu celebrations.
What did BJP's R. Ashoka dare CM Shivakumar to do?
Ashoka challenged Shivakumar to introduce legislation banning Muslim processions from passing through areas where Hindu temples are located, arguing that any regulation of Ganesh processions near mosques must be matched by equal restrictions on all communities. He extended the challenge to Jain and Sikh processions as well.
What is the Shobha Yatra planned for September 18 in T. Narasipura?
The Hindu Jagarana Vedike has organised a Shobha Yatra on 18 September in T. Narasipura to condemn the police inspector's reported remarks. Around 5,000 people are expected to participate in the 2.5 km march along Link Road, with participants mobilised from Mysuru, Mandya, and Chamarajanagar districts.
Has police placed any restrictions on Ganesh processions in T. Narasipura?
Mysuru Superintendent of Police Mallikarjun Baladandi clarified that no restrictions have been imposed on traditional Ganesh procession routes in T. Narasipura. He confirmed that processions can follow the same routes used during the previous year.
What allegations has Ashoka levelled against the T. Narasipura police inspector?
Ashoka alleged that the inspector in question faced prior allegations of assaulting Dalit youths, causing harm to a woman, and corruption. He questioned why Chief Minister Shivakumar chose to publicly support an officer with such a track record.
