Archive · 14 Sep 2026
Priyank Kharge Questions Police Protection for Peaceful Festival Celebrations
Priyank Kharge said people should be able to celebrate festivals peacefully.
He asked why police protection should be needed for ordinary celebrations.
His comments came after BJP leaders protested in T Narasipura.
The protest followed police instructions to a Ganesha Puja committee.
Kharge said rules about procession routes are meant to prevent clashes and other problems.
He said the same rules should apply to every community.
He asked people not to celebrate in ways that frighten others.
BJP leaders have alleged that restrictions unfairly affect Hindu festival arrangements.
Kharge rejected that criticism and also accused the BJP of using central investigation agencies against the state government.
Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge accused BJP leaders of creating unnecessary tension over festival celebrations.
His comments followed a BJP protest in T Narasipura over police directions issued to a Ganesha Puja committee.
Kharge said procession route rules and other restrictions were intended to prevent incidents, not stop celebrations.
He urged all communities to cooperate with police and avoid actions that could cause fear or anxiety.
Kharge also alleged that the BJP was using central agencies and JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy to target the state government ahead of elections.
- Who
- Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge, BJP leaders, police, and festival committees.
- What
- Kharge defended police precautions for religious processions and questioned the need for police protection during peaceful festivals.
- When
- Kharge made the remarks on Monday, after a BJP protest the previous day.
- Where
- The protest took place in T Narasipura, Mysuru district, Karnataka; Kharge spoke to reporters in Bengaluru.
- Why
- Police directions and procession restrictions were intended to prevent tension and maintain peace, while BJP leaders said Hindu festival arrangements were being unfairly restricted.
Government and Police Position
BJP Position
Festival restrictions
Government and Police Position
Priyank Kharge said route maps, police directions, and precautions apply to all communities and are meant to enable peaceful celebrations rather than stop them.
BJP Position
BJP leaders alleged that restrictions were being imposed on arrangements for Hindu festivals and protested the police directions given to a Ganesha Puja committee.
Public tension
Government and Police Position
Kharge said BJP leaders were creating unnecessary tension and urged people not to insist on actions that could create problems near places of worship.
BJP Position
BJP leaders protested what they viewed as improper police intervention and, according to Kharge, some allegedly threatened to enter a police station.
- Speaker
- Priyank Kharge, Karnataka Home Minister
- Immediate trigger
- A BJP protest in T Narasipura over police directions to a Ganesha Puja committee
- Police position
- Procession routes and other precautions are intended to prevent untoward incidents
- Kharge's appeal
- People should cooperate with police and avoid actions that create fear or anxiety
- Political reference
- Kharge urged BJP leaders to heed RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's statement that Muslims are integral to India
- Additional allegation
- Kharge accused the BJP of using the CBI, Income Tax Department, Enforcement Directorate, and JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy against the state government
- Election context
- Kharge said the alleged targeting was taking place ahead of elections