Karnataka Police Tell Ganesh Procession Organisers To Avoid Mosque Route in Mysuru, Sparks BJP-Congress Row (Video)
Karnataka police allegedly told Ganesh procession organisers in Mysuru not to pass by a mosque, drawing sharp criticism from BJP leaders Yaduveer Wadiyar and R Ashoka, who accused the Congress government of being anti-Hindu.
Police in Congress-ruled Karnataka have allegedly directed organisers of a Lord Ganesha procession not to pass by a mosque, triggering a fresh political clash between the ruling Congress and the Opposition BJP, which has accused the government of being "anti-Hindu." The police order, issued in Mysuru's T Narasipur neighbourhood, also asked organisers not to burst firecrackers along the procession route.
What The Policeman Said In The Viral Video
In a video that has since gone viral, a policeman is heard telling the organisers that the matter was "sensitive" and that he would "deal with it" if the procession passed by the mosque. "You must not take that route. A festival must be like a festival that makes others respect you. But you will all go and burst crackers in front of the masjid. If I see it this time, I will deal with it," the policeman said. Vinayaka Chaturthi 2026 Holiday Status: Check State-Wise List and Key Dates.
Cop's Warning To Ganesh Procession Organisers Over Mosque Route
ಮಸೀದಿ ಮುಂದೆ ಪಟಾಕಿ ಸಿಡಿಸಿದ್ರೆ ಗ್ರಹಚಾರ ಬಿಡಿಸ್ತೇನೆ” — ಟಿ.ನರಸೀಪುರ ಇನ್ಸ್ಪೆಕ್ಟರ್ ಧನಂಜಯ್ ಖಡಕ್ ಸೂಚನೆ
ಗಣೇಶ ಚತುರ್ಥಿ ಹಿನ್ನೆಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಟಿ. ನರಸೀಪುರ ಪಟ್ಟಣ ಠಾಣೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆದ ಶಾಂತಿ ಸಭೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಇನ್ಸ್ಪೆಕ್ಟರ್ ಧನಂಜಯ್ ಗಣೇಶ ಮೆರವಣಿಗೆ ಹಾಗೂ ಹಬ್ಬದ ಆಚರಣೆ ಕುರಿತು ಹಲವು ಸೂಚನೆಗಳನ್ನು ನೀಡಿದ್ದಾರೆ.
“ಮಸೀದಿ ಮುಂದೆ ಪಟಾಕಿ… pic.twitter.com/0GHM0bv0Oh
— News Karnataka (@newskarnataka) September 13, 2026
BJP MP Yaduveer Wadiyar Slams Police Order
BJP MP Yaduveer Wadiyar strongly criticised the police for even suggesting such a restriction, calling it "anti-Hindu" and pointing out that roads are public property open to all. "The authorities should instead facilitate the religious procession while maintaining law and order," he said. "We have seen a similar situation before. We have seen stone pelting incidents. The government's behaviour is seeming like it is disrespecting Hindus and their traditions. All streets belong to the public... Everyone has the complete right to celebrate. Others cannot dictate where we can take our procession. Don't disrespect our celebrations just because of a masjid," he added. Ganesh Chaturthi 2026: Date, Sthapana Muhurat, Puja Vidhi and Anant Chaturdashi Details.
Mysuru Police's Mosque Route Order For Ganesh Procession Sparks Row
#WATCH | Bengaluru, Karnataka: R Ashoka, LoP in Karnataka Assembly, says, "The police officer in T. Narasipur, Mysuru, called the Ganesha festival organisers and threatened them not to go near any masjid, no procession, no crackers, and no slogans. This is not just a Mysuru… pic.twitter.com/57LjFxIqJx
— ANI (@ANI) September 13, 2026
R Ashoka Accuses Congress Of 'Harassing' Hindus
Karnataka BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition R Ashoka alleged that the ruling Congress has been "harassing" people across the state over Ganeshotsava celebrations, claiming police were restricting processions while not acting against those actually creating disturbances. "If Hindus are being told that they cannot openly and devotionally celebrate Ganeshotsava in their own country, what should we tell this government? Don't burst crackers, don't blow conch shells, don't speak, what kind of justice is this?" Ashoka said, demanding that Chief Minister DK Shivakumar suspend the policeman involved. He alleged similar restrictions had been imposed in Maddur and Kolar as well.
Ashoka further claimed that objections to Ganesh processions arose only when they passed mosques, and not near churches, gurdwaras, Jain temples or Buddhist places of worship. "If disturbances are being created only in this place, the Congress government should understand who the anti-social elements are," he said, accusing the Congress government of practising "fake Hindutva" and describing the chief minister as an "election Hindu" who visits temples only during elections.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 13, 2026 02:57 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
