On September 11, evening, communal tensions flared in Mandya district, Karnataka, when a Ganesh Visarjan procession was attacked near a dargah in Nagamangala, located on Mysuru Road. Based on the reports from Asianet Suvarna News, the incident occurred as Hindu youths from Badarikoppalu village were conducting a procession for the immersion of a Ganesh idol. As the procession approached the dargah, members of the Islamic community reportedly engaged in a heated argument with the Hindu devotees. The situation escalated, with allegations of stone-pelting, the display of weapons, and slippers being thrown at the idol.

Angered by the attack, members of the Hindu community gathered at the local police station to demand action, placing the Ganesh idol in front of the station as a form of protest. As word of the incident spread, more people joined the protest, demanding permission to continue the procession along Mysuru Road.

In response to the unrest, shops owned by Hindus were set on fire by miscreants, with several shops being looted. Vehicles, including bikes parked along the road, were also damaged or torched.

Mandya Superintendent of Police, Mallikarjun Baladandi, spoke to Public TV, explaining that the police attempted to disperse the crowd following heated exchanges between members of the two communities. Due to the large gathering, authorities had to resort to a lathi charge to restore order. Despite the police’s efforts, members from both sides continued to clash, with further stone-pelting and acts of vandalism, including the burning of bikes and roadside shops.

In the aftermath of the Islamist violence, Section 163 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, which allows for urgent orders in cases of nuisance or imminent danger, was imposed in the area. Additional police forces were deployed to restore order. SP Baladandi later confirmed that the situation was under control, noting that there were no major injuries, though a few individuals sustained minor injuries.

Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy condemned the violence, criticizing the failure of law and order in Nagamangala. In Public TV, he expressed strong disapproval of the deliberate instigation of violence by members of the Islamic community, who, he claimed, targeted peaceful devotees by throwing stones, sandals, and petrol bombs, as well as brandishing swords.

He further expressed concern, stating, “When miscreants continue to target those who were peacefully protesting outside the police station seeking protection, it raises serious doubts about our current state of affairs. The local police’s failure in handling the situation is also clearly visible.”

He went on to criticize the Congress-led Karnataka government, saying, “The @INCKarnataka party and the state government, driven by political self-interest, have indulged in excessive appeasement of a particular community, which has directly led to the tragic incident in Nagamangala. This dangerous politics of appeasement must come to an end, or the Congress party will face difficult times ahead. I urge the public to remain peaceful. The government must act swiftly to restore order in the town. Additionally, any misuse of this situation by the police to show hostility towards opposition leaders and workers will not be tolerated.”

Following Karnataka Home Minister Parameshwar’s statement downplaying the Nagamangala stone-pelting as a “minor incident,” CM Siddaramaiah took a stance, tweeting that Karnataka has been a “garden of peace” for the past 18 months. He warned that any attempts to divide the state along religious lines will be met with strict action, regardless of caste or religion. The contradictory statements from two leaders of the same political party have sparked among the public and raised questions on social media.

Nagamangala observed a bandh on 12th September, following a call issued by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and, Bajrang Dal. The bandh was announced by Mahesh, the Taluk Secretary of Bajrang Dal, as per the reports from OpIndia.

The attack on the Ganesh idol in Mandya is part of a growing pattern of assaults on Hindus during Ganeshotsav this year. Initially, the Karnataka state Congress government introduced unjust regulations, unfairly targeting the Hindu festivals with restrictive law-and-order measures. This was followed by a series of violent attacks during processions, carried out by Islamist extremists, while the government continues to back those responsible. The recent surge of targeted attacks against Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations highlights a disturbing trend of religious intolerance by Islamists.