Mangaluru, Aug 19 (PTI) A flex banner displayed by a local Hindu Mahasabha leader at Surathkal extending Sri Krishna Janmashtami greetings sparked a row as it had pictures of Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse and Hindutva icon V D Savarkar.

Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Shocker: Shop Owner Stabs Consumer After Dispute Over Biryani Bill.

However, before the controversy spread, the civic authorities removed the banner immediately following complaints on Thursday.

Also Read | Excise Policy Case: CBI Raids in 7 States; Searches at 21 Locations in Delhi-NCR, Including Premises of Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia.

The flex was installed by Hindu Mahasabha local leader Rajesh Pavitran, police sources said. After a complaint was received, the banner was removed on the order of the Commissioner of Mangaluru City Corporation.

Police security was beefed up in Surathkal in view of Sri Krishna Janmashtami celebrations, the sources said.

The Hindu Mahasabha had courted a controversy when they displayed a banner with a photo of Savarkar on August 14 at Surathkal flyover.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)