Mandya (Karnataka), Sep 16 (IANS) Senior BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R. Ashoka, on Wednesday alleged that it was in the blood of Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi to treat Hindus as inferior, and accused Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar of functioning as a “puppet” of the Congress leadership.
Addressing reporters in Maddur while participating in a Ganesh immersion procession, Ashoka said the BJP had no expectations from the Chief Minister and demanded action against the police inspector of T. Narasipura town over his alleged controversial remarks concerning a Ganesh procession.
“It is in the blood of Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi to treat Hindus as inferiors. D.K. Shivakumar is a puppet in their hands. We do not have any expectation from this puppet Chief Minister,” Ashoka alleged.
He said the BJP had given the government one week’s time to suspend the T. Narasipura town police Inspector, who, according to Ashoka, had made a controversial statement regarding the Ganesh procession.
“I have spoken to our party workers in Mysuru and T. Narasipura. We are planning to hold a huge Ganesh immersion procession there as well, like the one we are organising in Maddur,” he said.
Ashoka also levelled several allegations against the Inspector, alleging that he faced charges of assaulting Dalits with a cricket bat and was allegedly involved in cheating a woman.
“People are saying that the Inspector is supporting matka and ganja trade in the region. He has given money and is continuing there, while they have taken money and are allowing him to continue,” Ashoka further alleged.
On criticism of BJP leaders wearing footwear while carrying Ganesh idols during the protest in T. Narasipura town, Ashoka said the BJP was participating in a protest and not conducting worship.
“Whenever a Ganesh idol is installed, worshipping starts. Ganesh idols are sold on the streets, we take them home and conduct worship. That is when sanctity comes in. We were staging a protest; we were not conducting worship,” he said.
He also questioned Congress leaders over whether they removed their footwear while receiving mementos containing pictures of Hindu deities at public events.
“On the dais, while receiving mementos containing pictures of Hindu gods, have they received them by removing their chappals? I am asking Congress people. Let them answer,” he said.
The remarks came amid a political confrontation between the BJP and Congress in Karnataka over Ganesh processions and the conduct of police personnel.
It can be recalled that a stone pelting incident occurred during a Ganesha idol immersion procession in Maddur town, Mandya district, on September 7, 2025, leaving at least eight people injured and triggering local protests and prohibitory orders.
Violence broke out when the procession passed near a place of worship in Ram Rahim Nagar, where stones were reportedly hurled at participants, causing chaos and injuries. Law enforcement quickly dispersed the groups, imposed Section 144 prohibitory orders, and took 20 individuals into custody. Police later registered multiple cases regarding the stone pelting and subsequent protests.
–IANS
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