Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah Monday said 21 people were arrested in connection with the clashes during a Ganesh idol immersion procession at Maddur in Mandya district on Sunday.
Speaking at a news conference, Siddaramaiah said the clashes took place when the procession was being carried out in front of a place of worship on Sunday evening.
“Whoever the culprits are… action will be taken against them,” he added.
The Karnataka CM also announced that Mandya district-in-charge minister N Chaluvarayaswamy will visit the town and submit a report, based on which action will be initiated.
Responding to the BJP’s allegations that Hindu festivals were being targeted, Siddaramaiah said that no untoward incidents were reported in the state save for Maddur. “BJP (leaders) are experts in provoking and disrupting peace,” he added.
Chaluvarayaswamy also said the BJP was highlighting communal issues to gain political space in the region. “The BJP has no ground (in Mandya),” he added.
Addressing reporters in New Delhi, BJP state president B Y Vijayendra said Hindus were insulted and their sentiments hurt ever since the Congress came to power in Karnataka. “The anti-Hindu and pro-minority policies have led to the oppression of Hindus in Karnataka,” he remarked.
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Leader of Opposition R Ashok said the ‘toolkit of fanatics’ had become very active after the Congress came to power. “Even though the police knew that fundamentalists would pelt stones, there was no bandobast,” he alleged.
The Congress is resorting to such tactics to save the party and as part of its vote-bank politics, Ashok further said.
On Tuesday’s Maddur bandh call issued by some groups in response to the clashes, he said that he would talk to the organisers and participate in the protest.