Published Sep 14, 2026 | 9:46 AM ⚊ Updated Sep 14, 2026 | 10:07 AM
Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge.
Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge on Monday, September 14, urged people celebrating the Ganesh Chaturthi festival to cooperate with police personnel managing Ganesha processions across the state.
Kharge’s appeal comes amid BJP protests demanding the suspension of a police official who restricted a proposed rerouting of the Ganesha procession through an area near a mosque in T Narasipura in Mysore district.
In a post on X, Kharge noted the extent of the celebrations in Karnataka and the number of police personnel deployed to manage the processions.
“In 2025, Karnataka witnessed 80,558 public Ganesha processions. To keep them peaceful and safe, over 1,02,000 police personnel, Home Guards and Central Forces were deployed. Think about what that number really means. More than one lakh men and women in uniform spent the festival away from their own families so that the rest of us could celebrate with ours,” Kharge said.
The home minister elaborated on the sacrifices made by the police officials who are forced to spend the festival away from their families.
“While we prayed, celebrated, danced and took part in processions, they stood for hours on our streets, managing crowds, regulating traffic, preventing conflict and ensuring that everyone returned home safely. They missed time with their parents, spouses and children so that our families could celebrate in peace and happiness,” he said.
In 2025, Karnataka witnessed 80,558 public Ganesha processions.
To keep them peaceful and safe, over 1,02,000 police personnel, Home Guards and Central Forces were deployed.
Think about what that number really means.
More than one lakh men and women in uniform spent the…
— Priyank Kharge / ಪ್ರಿಯಾಂಕ್ ಖರ್ಗೆ (@PriyankKharge) September 14, 2026
He urged people to respect the police’s sacrifice and celebrate the festival peacefully.
“When they make that sacrifice, the very least we can do is respect it. Be responsible. Cooperate with the police. Follow instructions. Treat them with dignity,” he said.
“Behind every uniform is a family waiting for them too. They give up their festival to protect ours. Show some love for Karnataka Police. A little appreciation goes a long way,” the home minister said.
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Leader of Opposition in Karnataka Assembly and senior BJP leader R. Ashoka has threatened that party workers will celebrate the Ganeshotsava within the T Narasipura police station premises if action is not taken against Inspector Dhananjay, who refused to allow a proposed rerouting of the Ganesha procession through an area near a mosque.
According to police, last year such a rerouting had happened without informing the police.
“This issue arose while telling them not to do that this time,” said Mysuru SP Mallikarjun Baladandi , reported The New Indian Express. He added that there is no “restriction of any kind on Ganesha processions following the same routes this year as they did last year.”
However, Ashoka accused the Congress government of creating “obstacles” to the celebrations while questioning the restrictions, including on the use of loudspeakers at night.
He claimed similar restrictions had been reported in Maddur and Kolar and alleged that organisers were being forced to obtain multiple permissions for installing idols and holding processions.
He also called Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar an “election-time Hindu” and challenged him to suspend the officer concerned.
(Edited by Fayisa CA)
