Archive · 16 Sep 2026
Karnataka BJP Challenges Ganesh Procession Restrictions Near Mosques
A disagreement has started in Karnataka about where a Ganesh procession should travel.
BJP leader R. Ashoka criticised Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar over a police inspector’s reported comments about the route.
Ashoka said the same rules should apply to processions from every religious community.
Shivakumar said the BJP was turning a police warning into a political issue.
The warning was described as an effort to prevent trouble.
A Hindu organisation announced a large Shobha Yatra in T. Narasipura for September 18.
It expects about 5,000 people to join.
The district police chief said traditional Ganesh procession routes remain allowed.
R. Ashoka challenged Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to prohibit Muslim processions near Hindu temples if Ganesh processions near mosques are regulated.
Ashoka criticised Shivakumar for supporting a T. Narasipura police inspector’s warning about a Ganesh procession route.
Shivakumar said the BJP was politicising a police warning intended to prevent an untoward incident.
The Hindu Jagarana Vedike announced a September 18 Shobha Yatra in T. Narasipura, expecting about 5,000 participants over 2.5 kilometres.
Mysuru Superintendent of Police Mallikarjun Baladandi said traditional Ganesh procession routes in T. Narasipura were not restricted and could follow last year’s routes.
- Who
- BJP leader R. Ashoka, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, the T. Narasipura police inspector, Hindu Jagarana Vedike and Mysuru Superintendent of Police Mallikarjun Baladandi.
- What
- A political dispute over reported police remarks and the regulation of Ganesh procession routes near religious sites.
- When
- The dispute was reported on Wednesday; the Hindu Jagarana Vedike announced a Shobha Yatra for September 18.
- Where
- T. Narasipura town in Mysuru district, Karnataka.
- Why
- Ashoka said restrictions on Ganesh processions would be unfair unless comparable rules applied to processions of other communities; Shivakumar said the police warning was intended to prevent an untoward incident.
BJP and Hindu organisation’s criticism
Government and police response
Whether the police warning was appropriate
BJP and Hindu organisation’s criticism
R. Ashoka said the reported remarks were insulting to Hindus, could be repeated by other police stations and reflected a one-sided approach.
Government and police response
D.K. Shivakumar said the BJP was politicising a police warning issued to prevent an untoward incident.
Equal treatment of religious processions
BJP and Hindu organisation’s criticism
Ashoka challenged the government to prohibit Muslim processions near Hindu temples if it regulated Ganesh processions near mosques, and said the same standard should apply to Jains and Sikhs.
Government and police response
The police clarification stated that traditional Ganesh procession routes in T. Narasipura remain permitted, without announcing the broader restrictions proposed by Ashoka.
Response in T. Narasipura
BJP and Hindu organisation’s criticism
The Hindu Jagarana Vedike announced a Shobha Yatra to condemn the inspector’s reported remarks and mobilised participants from surrounding districts.
Government and police response
The Mysuru superintendent of police said processions could use the same traditional routes used the previous year.
- Main challenger
- R. Ashoka, Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly
- Chief minister
- D.K. Shivakumar
- Disputed location
- T. Narasipura, Mysuru district
- Planned event
- Hindu Jagarana Vedike Shobha Yatra on September 18
- Expected participation
- About 5,000 people
- Planned distance
- Approximately 2.5 kilometres
- Police clarification
- Traditional Ganesh procession routes are not restricted and may follow routes used last year