Janata Dal (Secular) state President H D Kumaraswamy on Monday joined the protest against the removal of a saffron flag bearing Lord Hanuman's image from Keragodu village near Mandya in Karnataka. Blaming the state's Congress government for the tense situation, Kumaraswamy accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of playing politics and failing to effectively handle the issue.
The controversy sparked when the state government clarified a day ago that the Hanuman flag was removed as permission was sought only to hoist the national Tricolour and the Karnataka State flag. However, the replacement of the Hanuman flag with the National Flag led to a confrontation between the government and the opposition in the state.
Wearing a saffron shawl, the former chief minister addressed the protestors who had marched from Keragodu village to the Deputy Commissioner's office, demanding the restoration of the saffron flag.
Leaders and workers of BJP and JD(S), along with activists of the Hindu nationalist outfit Bajrang Dal and other organisations, participated in the march along with the people of Keragodu and surrounding villages.
Kumaraswamy accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his government of instigating people by using police force to quell the public unrest over the removal of the 'Hanuman dhwaja.'
He criticised the Chief Minister, saying, "You claim to have administrative experience, having presented 14 budgets (in the state assembly). If you have even a bit of administrative knowledge, set right your government's mistakes first."
In response to Siddaramaiah's accusations that the opposition BJP and JD(S) were trying to instigate people with an eye on the Lok Sabha elections, Kumaraswamy blamed the "arrogant" Congress for politicking to gain an advantage in the upcoming polls. He emphasised, "It is not us (opposition) who are doing things keeping the Lok Sabha polls in mind."
The former chief minister questioned the government's actions, particularly the police response, stating, "Yesterday there was a lathi charge by the police on people. Today also they have done a lathi charge, injuring a person near his eyes and another person on his legs. Was this needed?"
Kumaraswamy argued that the government removed the saffron flag citing rules and grounds for permissions but questioned the Congress government on why flex boards featuring pictures of the ruling party's leaders were put up across Mandya city without proper authorization, despite court orders against it.
"If they don't set things right, they will not be able to walk on the streets," Kumaraswamy cautioned, accusing the ruling party of acting against the wishes of the people who elected it to power.
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