Should CM Siddaramaiah Apologize for Ganesh Visarjan Violence?

Bengaluru, Sep 8 (NationPress) In a strong critique of the state administration regarding the violence during the Ganesh Visarjan in Maddur town of Mandya district, R. Ashoka, the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Assembly, has called for an apology from Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

In a press conference on Monday, Ashoka remarked, "Chief Minister Siddaramaiah owes an apology to the residents of Karnataka for the stone-pelting incident that occurred during the Ganesh Visarjan procession. Why are attacks and FIRs exclusively targeting Hindus?"

"Multiple restrictions are imposed on the celebrations of the Ganesh festival. Hindus are not allowed to celebrate freely or conduct processions. Last year, the Hanuman Dhwaj was taken down in Nagamangala town of Mandya district. Is there no sense of decency left? In Nagamangala, the Ganesh idol was confiscated and placed in a police vehicle," Ashoka remarked.

"The Ganesh Visarjan procession occurs on public roads; it is not private property," he expressed with frustration.

"We contribute taxes for road construction. It’s our road. Had the police set up a dedicated police unit on-site, there would have been no need for thousands of officers or a lathi-charge," he emphasized.

Ashoka continued, "Does the government lack the common sense to understand that the individuals throwing stones may also gather in mosques? They have systematically planned to target Hindus."

"This aligns with Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar’s claim that Chamundi Hills is not solely for Hindus. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and permitted misinformation regarding the Dharmasthala case," he asserted.

"When we look at the incidents over the past two years, it seems Hindus have been relegated to second-class citizens in the state. We are uncertain if the government is functioning or not. For the sake of electoral politics, they are jeopardizing the nation. They brandish the Constitution for everything. Is this really what the Constitution stands for?" Ashoka remarked.

Former Deputy CM and MLA C.N. Ashwath Narayan criticized Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy’s assertion that the BJP and JD(S) instigated the violence, questioning how the BJP and JD(S) could be involved. "You weren’t convinced when it happened in Nagamangala. Now, it’s occurring in Maddur, yet you remain in denial. You believe you are beyond reproach, engaging in appeasement politics. You are lost in the illusion of power, Mr. Cheluvarayaswamy," Ashwath Narayan contended.

"Whenever the Congress assumes power, it becomes a norm that law enforcement can be attacked without repercussions. Under such circumstances, individuals gather and act as they please. Do stones get thrown during Eid-Milad processions?" he questioned.

"The law needs to be reinforced, sending a clear message that those engaging in such violence will face consequences. They must be prosecuted under the Goonda Act and imprisoned. If strict measures are enforced, who would dare throw stones?" he stated. "Cases are being dismissed for all criminal activities, including the burning of police stations," he claimed.