Ganapati's alleged arrest sparks nationwide Hindu outrage, Karnataka govt faces backlash

PTC Information Office: The alleged arrest of a Ganesh idol by the Karnataka government has sparked national outrage, particularly among Hindu communities. The incident occurred on September 13 during a Ganesh immersion procession in Karnataka, where tensions escalated after stones were thrown at participants. Instead of arresting the attackers, police reportedly detained the protesters and confiscated the Ganesh idol, sparking further unrest.

Maharashtra Hindus join protest

The scandal has spread beyond Karnataka to Hindu communities in Maharashtra, where the incident is seen as an affront to their religious practices. Many see it as a first in the history of independent India: a revered religious figure has been “arrested,” sending shockwaves across the country.

Political reactions and criticisms

The incident has sparked strong reactions in political circles. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s participation in a Ganapati Aarti has been sharply criticised by the Congress and the Mahavikas Aghadi coalition, while Chief Justice of India Dhananjay Chandrachud has been criticised for celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi at his residence. Critics have questioned Chandrachud’s impartiality, citing his participation in religious festivities.

Hindu festivals, usually celebrated to promote communal harmony, have been marred by political discord, with critics accusing the Congress and Uddhav Thackeray’s faction of ignoring traditional values. Hindu activists have been vocal in their criticism, calling out the hypocrisy of leaders who hold Iftar parties but oppose Ganpati Aartis.

BJP’s response

The BJP hit back by pointing to instances of Congress leaders hosting Iftar parties in the past. BJP spokespersons, including Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora, cited events such as the 2009 Iftar attended by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Chief Justice KG Balakrishnan, accusing the Congress of double standards for criticising Modi’s involvement in the Ganapati Aarti.

Controversial remarks at Sambhaji Brigade event

Derogatory remarks about Hindu deities were made at an event organised by the Sambhaji Brigade to mark the anniversary of the protest. Sharad Pawar and MP Shahu Maharaj were seen laughing during an exchange in which foul language was used to describe Hindu personalities like Prabhu Sri Ramachandra and Swami Samarth. This intensified the outrage among Hindu communities, already incensed over the Ganesh idol incident.

The following day, Sharad Pawar made a public appearance at the Raja of Lalbagh, a move interpreted as a possible attempt to ease tensions. However, critics pointed out that while Pawar frequently attends Iftar parties, he is rarely seen at Hindu religious events such as the Raigad pilgrimage or the Wari pilgrimage, leading to renewed allegations of political bias.

Impact on Hindu sentiments

The alleged arrest of the Ganesh idol, coupled with controversial political statements, has heightened tensions between religious communities and political factions. The incident highlights the friction between India’s religious traditions and the political maneuvering of various parties, especially those that rely on minority votes.

The remarks made at the Sambhaji Brigade event deepened the sense of betrayal felt by many Hindus, fuelling a broader debate about the treatment of Hindu sentiments in the country’s political landscape.

As the controversy continues to unfold, the Karnataka government is under scrutiny for its handling of the situation, and the political ramifications could be significant in the coming weeks.

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– With contributions from agencies