Kharge Slams BJP’s Demand for Action Against Inspector Over Ganesh Procession Row

Bengaluru: Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge has defended the police handling of Ganesh Chaturthi processions in the state and rejected the BJP’s demand for immediate action against a police inspector at the centre of a controversy in T Narasipura, Mysuru district.

The row erupted after T Narasipura police inspector Dhananjaya addressed organisers at a peace meeting on September 7 and warned them against deviating from the approved route, particularly by taking a Ganesh procession towards a mosque on Link Road and bursting firecrackers there.

What did the inspector say?

A video of the meeting circulated widely on social media. In the clip, Dhananjaya urged organisers to ensure that the festival did not inconvenience people from other communities.

He told organisers that a festival should be celebrated in a manner that allows people of other religions to respect it as well. He also warned that strict action would be taken if participants stood in front of the mosque and burst firecrackers.

The inspector also spoke about other conditions, including restrictions on DJ-style sound systems, the use of DJ vehicles during immersion and the need to follow the route submitted to police.

BJP demands action against inspector

The BJP subsequently protested in T Narasipura, accusing the Congress government of creating obstacles for Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations.

Karnataka Leader of Opposition R Ashoka led the protest along with Mysuru MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, MLA TS Srivatsa and former MP Pratap Simha. BJP leaders demanded action against Dhananjaya and alleged that restrictions were being imposed on procession routes, loudspeakers and celebrations near mosques.

Ashoka argued that Ganesh Chaturthi should not become a “police festival” and accused the state government of pressuring the police.

Priyank Kharge: Wait for SP report

Responding to the BJP's campaign, Priyank Kharge said the government would first wait for the report from the Mysuru superintendent of police before deciding whether any action was warranted.

Kharge also pointed out that similar precautionary meetings and rules existed when BJP leaders, including R Ashoka and Basavaraj Bommai, had held the home portfolio.

“The rules Ashoka had put in place are the same rules that exist today,” Kharge said.

The minister has also urged devotees to cooperate with the police and celebrate the festival peacefully, stressing that the security arrangements are intended to prevent clashes and ensure public safety.

Police say there is no ban on the traditional route

Mysuru Superintendent of Police Mallikarjuna Baladandi said there was no blanket restriction on the Ganesh procession or the traditional route.

According to the SP, organisers were asked to inform the police in advance about the procession and immersion dates so that adequate security arrangements could be made. He said the issue arose because a group had allegedly taken an unauthorised route near a mosque during last year's procession without informing police.

The police position is therefore that the instructions were related to route coordination and maintaining law and order, rather than a ban on Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations.

Kharge highlights security deployment

Kharge also highlighted the scale of police deployment during Ganesh festivities in Karnataka.

He said 80,558 public Ganesh processions were held across the state in 2025, requiring the deployment of more than 1.02 lakh police personnel, home guards and central forces.

The minister said security personnel were deployed to manage crowds, control traffic, prevent clashes and ensure devotees could return home safely.

Political confrontation intensifies

The dispute has now developed into a broader political confrontation between the ruling Congress and the BJP in Karnataka, with both sides framing the issue around public safety, religious freedom and law-and-order management.

For now, the state government has not announced disciplinary action against Inspector Dhananjaya. The next step is expected after the superintendent of police submits the report.