Dalits alleged that Pratap Simha had hurt their sentiments in a speech on Mahisha Dasara last year, and got some local villagers arrested.
BJP MP Pratap Simha was confronted by Harohalli villagers on Monday. (Supplied)
A contentious episode unfolded as BJP’s Mysuru MP Pratap Simha was, on Monday, 22 January, sent away from taking part in the groundbreaking ceremony of a Lord Ram temple at the Gujjegowdanapura village near Harohalli village in the Mysuru district of Karnataka.
He was to also offer prayers at the site where the Krishna Sheela (stone) from which the idol of a five-year-old Lord Ram Lalla — that was consecrated in Ayodhya on Monday — was sculpted.
The BJP parliamentarian’s visit took an unexpected turn when he was met with resistance from local villagers — particularly Dalits — who vehemently labelled him “anti-Dalit”. They also protested over his participation in the groundbreaking ceremony.
Despite Simha’s attempts to engage with them and clarify his position, the confrontation escalated, leading to his departure.
Meanwhile, the protesters raised slogans and level accusations pointing to his alleged anti-Dalit stance during Mahisha Dasara festivities.
Responding to this unprecedented turn of events, the Mysuru MP blamed the Congress for the villagers confronting and preventing him from attending the groundbreaking ceremony.
The JD(S)’s Chamundeshwari MLA GT Devegowda had organised the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of Ram Temple on the day of the Ram Temple consecration ceremony at Ayodhya.
The stone used for the Ram Lalla idol in the Ayodhya Ram Temple was found in the land of a Dalit named Ramdas of Gujjegowdanapura near Harohalli village.
He donated over two acres of land for the construction of the local Ram temple.
A groundbreaking ceremony and special prayers for the consecration ceremony were organised on Monday morning under the leadership of local MLA GT Devegowda, who recently announced plans for constructing a Ram temple at this site.
When the rituals for the ceremony were underway, Harohalli leaders interjected and chanted slogans like “Go back Pratap Simha” and “Contempt for Pratap Simha”, opposing his participation in the event.
Former Congress taluka panchayat member Suresh Harohalli accused the MP of being “anti-Dalit” and said his behaviour had hurt the sentiments of Dalits.
He questioned Pratap Simha’s presence on Dalits’ land, citing alleged threats to the community during Mahisha Dasara celebrations.
Suresh told reporters in Mysuru: “The Mysuru MP hadn’t set foot in our village for a decade, He suddenly appeared now for political reasons.”
He added: “Even other elected representatives, including BJP MLAs, visited and engaged with us. Yet, he never took the time to listen to our concerns. Frankly, we don’t want him here.”
He also recalled: “Pratap Simha spoke against our community and its leaders during the Mahisha Dasara celebrations last year. Some residents of our village were even arrested at his instigation. He never bothered to visit the village or inquire about our problems. But conveniently, just before the Lok Sabha elections, he emerged out of nowhere. He is anti-Dalit.”
Simha tried to clarify his stance, stating, “My statement has been distorted. I am not anti-Dalit.”
However, the villagers remained dissatisfied, insisting that he leave without further explanations.
Despite efforts by MLA GT Devegowda, former minister SR Mahesh, and other leaders to dissuade the villagers, they stood firm.
Ultimately, Devegowda asked Pratap Simha to leave the area. He promptly left the place amidst the protest against him.
Pratap Simha blames Congress
Pratap Simha blamed Congress workers over the Harohalli villagers confronting him, and said that he was not bothered by such political conspiracies.
After the incident, the BJP MP told reporters: “Local MLA GT Devegowda wished to build a Ram temple in the same site where the Krishna Sheela was found. He invited everyone. Hence, I went there.”
ತಾಯಿ ಚಾಮುಂಡೇಶ್ವರಿಗೆ ಕೋಟ್ಯಂತರ ಭಕ್ತರಿದ್ದಾರೆ, ಈ ಮಹಿಷನ ಮೂರು ಮತ್ತೊಂದು ಜನ ಅನುಯಾಯಿಗಳ ತರ್ಲೆಗೆ ನಾನು ತಲೆಕೆಡಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವುದಿಲ್ಲ. ನನ್ನನ್ನು ಸೋಲಿಸಲು ಸಾಧ್ಯವಿಲ್ಲ ಎಂಬ ಹತಾಶೆಯಿಂದ ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್ಸಿನ ತಾಲೂಕು ಪಂಚಾಯಿತಿ ಸದಸ್ಯ ಮತ್ತು ಕೆಲವರು ಈ ಕೆಲಸ ಮಾಡಿದರು, ಇನ್ನು ಮುಂದೆಯೂ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಾರೆ. pic.twitter.com/bAvEpn4cUl
— Pratap Simha (@mepratap) January 22, 2024
He continued: “The consecration ceremony of Lord Ram was held at Ayodhya. On the same day, the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the new Ram temple was also organised here. As the programme was about to start, the Congress’ former taluka panchayat member and others, who are devotees of Mahishasura, raised slogans and opposed me taking part in the ceremony.”
He further said: “As soon as I went to the site, Ramdas’ son welcomed me personally and was happy. Some four Congress goons came and raised slogans like anti-Dalit. I have always opposed devotees of Mahisha. Even today, I am against it. What is the relationship between Mahisha and Dalits? This is a mischievous act by some Congress leaders. I am least bothered by it.”
Simha also said: “The Congress knows that it will not be able to defeat me in Mysuru. It will continue to do such things in future. I won’t bother about it. Goddess Chamundeshwari has crores of devotees. I won’t be bothered about the three or four devotees of Mahisha.”
May 06, 2024
May 06, 2024
May 06, 2024
May 06, 2024
May 06, 2024
May 06, 2024
