Group clash during procession of Ganesha idol at Hanagal
22 persons including women, cops injured
Cases booked against many in three separate cases
Haveri, September 19: In a group clash happened during a Ganesha idol immersion procession held at Hiruru in Hanagal taluk on Monday night, More than 22 persons including women and police were injured and admitted them to the hospital. Amidst this, Haveri rural police booked cases against many in three separate incidents.
It is said that the group clash happened on Monday night before a masjid during the Ganesha idol immersion procession at Hiruru, around 10 km from Haveri. As a result, tension prevailed in the village for some time. Miscreants pelted stones at shops and houses and damaged some vehicles and set ablaze to some. Later, they barged into some houses and attacked more than 15 persons including women and aged people with lethal weapons. They were admitted to the hospital. In the incident, 9 police personnel were also injured.
Speaking to Varthabharati, Hanagal Anjuman Islam president Nazeer Savner said that “Hindus and Muslims here were living harmoniously. But in recent days, communal clashes are being held. But the police who have to control it have become partial. Around four-five months, the jatra mahotsav was held peacefully. Then the police installed CCTV cameras to keep a vigil on the activities and security was beefed up. So, miscreants have not come to the scene. But on Monday, it was different issue. The police should have beefed up the security during Ganesh festival procession. But they did not do that. For the act engineered by some miscreants, the entire village is suffering. Masjid and houses were stoned. Pregnant women, aged, physically disabled and children were attacked, looted gold ornaments and other valuables. They have damaged many things, Vehicles belonging to Tippu Sultan Committee president Zakir, masjid president vehicle. It was a police-sponsored act. It requires a suitable investigation and culprits should be punished and affected people should be compensated”, he said.
Men are leaving village
The group clash has literally turned into a communal clash. So, majority of the minority community people have been living under insecurity. Because of the fear of arrest, men have been leaving the village. According to a woman from the Hiruru village, the police have been arresting the youths by barging into the houses. Noticing this, men, school and college going youth have left the village since Monday night. Nobody knows their whereabouts. While going out, many of them left their mobile phones at home and they are not reachable, she said.
Don’t lend ears to rumours, situation is under control: SP K. Parashuram
SP K. Parashuram said that locals have informed that when the immersion procession was being taken out in front of the masjid on Monday night, some miscreants pelted stones at the procession due to which the Ganesha idol was damaged. Later, tension prevailed in the village as both the parties engaged in clash. Immediately, additional police force was deployed to the village and took the situation under control. Now, the situation is under control. No one need to worry about the situation. People need not to give importance to any rumours. In the incident, around 15 civilians and 9 police personnel were injured. Cases were filed against many in three separate incidents and 22 persons were arrested and action was taken to arrest remaining accused, he said.
This time, 1,701 Ganesha idols were immersed in the district for which security was beefed up in all the places. There was 4,000 population in Hiruru. Based on the population, police security was made. In spite of it, untoward incident happened. Now, people have been pointing towards the police department. The department has never done partiality, he said.
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Chandrashekhar Swamiji apologises for remark on denying voting rights to Muslims
"If my statement has upset our Muslim brothers, I deeply regret it."
Bengaluru: Kumara Chandrashekharanath Swamiji, head of the Vishva Okkaliga Mahasansthana Mutt, has expressed regret over his controversial statement suggesting that "Muslims should be denied voting rights."
In a press release, Swamiji clarified, "Muslims are also citizens of this country. Like everyone else, they too have voting rights. If my statement yesterday has caused discomfort to our Muslim brothers, I sincerely apologise for it."
He further added, "Okkaligas are inherently tolerant of all religions. We have always treated people of every faith equally. Our Mutt maintains cordial relations with Muslims, and they frequently visit us. Similarly, we attend their weddings and other joyous occasions. Hence, there is no intolerance towards this community." Swamiji appealed to the public to disregard the controversy surrounding his remark.
The controversial statement was made during a farmers' rally, ‘Raita Gharjana,’ organised by the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, Karnataka Pradesh, at Freedom Park, Bengaluru, on Tuesday. Addressing the gathering, Swamiji had said, "A law should be enacted to deny voting rights to the Muslim community, and the Wakf Board should be abolished."
The remark drew widespread criticism from political leaders and the public alike. Following the backlash, Swamiji issued his apology, stating, "Muslims are also citizens of this country. Like everyone else, they too have voting rights. If my statement yesterday has caused discomfort to our Muslim brothers, I sincerely apologise for it."
