The clashes during the Ganesh Visarjan procession in Mandya district of Karnataka have not only questioned the law and order of the state, but have also sparked serious debate on the policies of the Congress government. BJP leaders are constantly alleging that the Congress government is doing politics of appeasement, due to which the morale of communal miscreants has increased and the spirit of insecurity in the Hindu community is getting deeper.
Let us tell you that before Mandya, incidents of nuisance and stone pelting came to light during Hindu religious events in Hubli, Shivamogga and Dharwad. The opposition alleges that the government takes strict action against the culprits every time. BJP leaders also allege that the police mostly shows strictness against the Hindu community, while the stones are softened. This has created the image of ‘partisan policing’. Let us also tell you that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his government are also being accused that they give open exemption to minorities for vote bank politics. The opposition says that for this reason, there was no strict action on those who raised slogans like ‘Pakistan Zindabad’.
Also read this: Clashes during Ganesh idol immersion in Mandya, Karnataka, prohibition applicable
If seen, the incident of Mandya has given the opportunity to present Hindu organizations and BJP to present aggressive enemy among the public. The protests with the slogans of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and saffron flags have given the dispute the form of cultural-religious identity. The BJP is trying to unite the majority society by calling it a “conspiracy to make Hindus a second -class citizen”. Leaders like R Ashok and Vijayendra are adopting an aggressive stand by linking the incident with the metaphor of “Karnataka vs. Pakistan”.
If seen, the allegations of appeasement on the Congress government can provide a strong political weapon to the BJP till the 2028 assembly elections. The social base of Hinduist forces may be more widely in sensitive areas such as rural and urban Karnataka, especially Mandya, Hubli and Shivamogga. If the government continues to fail to take strict action, then the perception will be deeper that the Congress is doing vote bank politics only to save power.
If seen, the incident of Mandya is not just a local communal clash. This can prove to be a major turning point for Karnataka politics. The Congress government will now have to decide whether it comes out of the image of appeasement by giving priority to law and order and security of religious events or leaves a permanent issue for BJP and Hinduist organizations. The developments suggest that the politics of religious identity and communal polarization in South India is making a deep grip, and Mandya’s incident may be an important stage in this direction.