Mandya Hanuman flag row: BJP and JD(S) lead state-wide protests; VHP, Bajrang Dal, Shri Rama Sena extend support

The saffron cadre, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Bajrang Dal, and Shri Rama Sena, have also thrown their lot behind the cause, condemning the removal of the Hanuman flag and demanding its reinstatement.

Shri Ram Sena chief Pramod Muthalik criticised the Congress and accused the party of removing the flag to appease certain groups. At the same time, VHP’s Sharan Pumpwell called for a state-wide Hanuman flag campaign, expressing discontent over the incident and urging action against those responsible for insulting both the Hanuman flag and the national flag.

Also Read: Mandya flag row: Panchayat officer suspended as BJP-JDS jointly take on Karnataka government

State-wide protests

While the protests against the state government for its “anti-Hindu” actions began in Mandya on Sunday, they spread state-wide on Monday, with BJP leaders and members of various Hindu outfits taking to the streets in Shivamogga, Vijayanagara, Bengaluru, Bagalkot and other districts.

ಹಿಂದೂಗಳ ಧಾರ್ಮಿಕ ಭಾವನೆಯನ್ನು ಘಾಸಿಗೊಳಿಸುವ ದುರುದ್ದೇಶದಿಂದ ಮಂಡ್ಯ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಯ ಕೆರೆಗೋಡು ಗ್ರಾಮದಲ್ಲಿ ಹನುಮ ಭಗವಾಧ್ವಜವನ್ನು ತೆರವುಗೊಳಿಸಿದ ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್ ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ಹಿಂದೂವಿರೋಧಿ ನೀತಿಯನ್ನು ಖಂಡಿಸಿ, ಶಿವಮೊಗ್ಗದ ನಿರೀಕ್ಷಣಾ ಮಂದಿರ ವೃತ್ತದಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರತಿಭಟನೆ ನಡೆಸಿ ಆಕ್ರೋಶ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಪಡಿಸಲಾಯಿತು.

ಪಕ್ಷದ ಜಿಲ್ಲಾಧ್ಯಕ್ಷರಾದ ಶ್ರೀ ಮೇಘರಾಜ್… pic.twitter.com/bS9BlzJyuJ

— B Y Raghavendra (@BYRBJP) January 29, 2024

Protesting the detention of right wing activists by police in Keragodu village on 28 January, Ashoka announced a padayatra to the Mandya district administration by the BJP and JD(S).

Following his directive, BJP Karnataka party workers, under the headship of local leaders, staged protests across the state on Monday.

Similarly, the BJP’s Bengaluru wing staged a protest at Mysore Bank Circle. The protest was led by Bengaluru North’s party chief S Harish. The BJP leaders raised slogans against the Congress government, leading to detention by the police. They were later released.

The BJP leaders have submitted a memorandum to respective district administrations, demanding that the Hanuman flag be hoisted again at Keragodu village.

The opposition leaders, while protesting, also highlighted the recent incidents of moral policing and alleged that law and order has derailed in the state.

Also Read: ‘Conspiracy to incite riots,’ says CM Siddaramaiah as BJP stages protests over Karnataka Hanuman flag controversy

‘Hanuman flag must be hoisted again’

Lashing out at the Congress, Shri Rama Sena chief Pramod Muthalik demanded that the government hoist the Hanuman flag again at Keragodu village.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Muthalik said, “On 22 January, the flagpole was constructed. On 26 January, the Hanuman flag was lowered and the national flag was hoisted. On the next day, the Hanuman flag was put up again but it was lowered on the same day. We demand that the Hanuman flag should be hoisted again.”

“Though a tsunami has arisen in the whole country in the name of Lord Rama, they (referring to Congress) could not see the glory of Lord Rama in every house and village. They have removed the Hanuman flag at Keragodu village for the sake of appeasing some people,” Muthalik charged.

“Why was the flag suddenly removed even though there was no complaint or dispute?” he asked. “This Congress does not like Kesari (saffron). They neither like Hindus nor Hindutva.”

Challenging the Congress, Muthalik said, “It was requested to allocate land in Ayodhya, Mathura, and Kashi where temples existed. We fought and secured it in Ayodhya. We will also get the same in Mathura and Kashi in the near future. If the Congress successfully persuades the Muslims, harmony will be maintained. Otherwise, I am ready to fight again.”

“I will not do politics; I will not stand for elections; however, we have started the ‘Modi win and save India’ campaign. We are working to create awareness that appeasement and guarantees will ruin the country,” Muthalik said, taking an obvious dig at the the Congress party’s five poll guarantees.

Also Read: Karnataka: School bus and tractor collide in Jamkhandi killing 4 children, injuring 22 others

‘Will launch state-wide Hanuman flag campaign’

VHP’s Karnataka South region Joint-secretary Sharan Pumpwell stated that his organisation and the Bajrang Dal condemn the lowering of Hanuman flag at Mandya’s Keragodu village.

While speaking to reporters in Mangaluru on Monday, Pumpwell said, “The Rama devotees of the town have come together and hoisted the Hanuman flag in Keragodu village of Mandya, but the Congress government has removed the flag for the sake of Muslim votes. The Hanuman flag should be hoisted again. If not, we will call all Rama devotees and launch a state-wide Hanuman flag campaign.”

Explaining further, he said, “Hanuman flags will be hoisted on the roads and at every house. Through this campaign, we will show the government our Hanuman Bhakti.”

“This has pained the devotees of Rama-Hanuman. We have no objection to flying the national flag. In fact, they have also insulted the national flag. A case of sedition should be registered against those who did this,” Pumpwell urged the state government to book the officials for insulting the national flag.