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Series of targeted incidents disrupt Ganesh Visarjan processions across several states

Stone-pelting, bomb threat and forced route diversions disrupt festive celebrations

Tensions flared across several parts of southern Bharat during the Shri Ganesh Chaturthi festivities, as religious fanatics repeatedly obstructed visarjan (immersion) processions. From stone-pelting and explicit bomb threats to route blockades and administrative intimidation, Hindu devotees faced coordinated resistance merely for carrying out sacred traditions.

Bhatkal (Karnataka): Stones hurled at Ganesh visarjan procession from mosque and madrasa

On the night of 16 September, a Shri Ganesh murti visarjan procession organised by the Talanda Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samiti came under sudden stone-pelting as it crossed the Gulle railway tracks along Railway Station Road. Stones were hurled directly at the procession from the Ismail Sunni Jamia Mosque and the Tajusunna Arabic Madrasa. Enraged devotees retaliated, leading to shattered windowpanes at the mosque and madrasa premises. Following the clash, hundreds of Muslims gathered to stage a protest at the Bhatkal Town Police Station, leading to cross-complaints being registered by both sides.

Srivilliputhur (Tamil Nadu): Fanatics threaten to ‘blow up’ Ganesh visarjan procession outside mosque

A Shri Ganesh visarjan procession was violently intercepted in Srivilliputhur (Virudhunagar district) as it passed a local mosque. Fanatics began chanting provocative religious slogans, prompting Hindu devotees to respond with chants of ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’. Agitated by the patriotic sloganeering, two fanatic youths confronted intervening police officers and openly threatened to blow up the procession with bombs.

According to Shri. R.D. Prabhu, Tamil Nadu State President of the stalwart organisation Bharat Hindu Munnani, viral video footage captured police muzzling a Hindu devotee who was chanting ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’, while the suspects who issued bomb threats were detained only to be released within hours under alleged administrative pressure. Nationalist bodies have demanded a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe, while Muslim organisations in the state have openly defended the accused.

Hoovina Hadagali (Karnataka): Muslim opposition forces diversion of traditional Ganesh visarjan route

In Islam Pete, Hoovina Hadagali (Vijayanagara district), an immersion procession was halted on the night of 18 September after local Muslims blocked the road at Korwar Oni. The protestors insisted that the procession avoid Islam Pete and adhere to a temporary diversion used the previous year, which had been altered due to Eid-e-Milad. Hindu youths stood firm, asserting that the procession had historically traversed that very path. However, following the intervention of the local MLA and police authorities, devotees were compelled to yield and adopt the diverted route to maintain peace.

Mysuru (Karnataka): Police inspector threatens devotees over procession decorum near mosques

During a pre-festival peace committee meeting organised at Tirumakudalu Narasipura, Police Inspector Dhananjay publicly issued stern threats to Shri Ganesh devotees. In a viral video clip, the officer warned: “Stick strictly to the route we assign you. If you linger outside mosques, burst crackers, or dance there, I will not issue warnings, I will take direct action.” The inspector went on to lecture devotees on religious tolerance, asking, “Who taught you that celebrating Ganeshotsav requires standing and dancing in front of a mosque?” The high-handed remarks drew widespread criticism from the public, with citizens questioning whether the police ever issue similar ultimatums during minority festivals.

Savanur, Haveri (Karnataka): Ganesh visarjan procession halted citing mosque on main road; Devotees re-install Shri Ganesh murti in protest

In Simpigeri (Simpige Galli) of Savanur town, Haveri district, police halted a traditional Shri Ganesh visarjan procession after it had advanced barely 500 metres from the temple, citing the presence of a mosque on the main road (Raja Beedhi). Police refused permission for the procession to proceed along the thoroughfare. Indignant over the arbitrary administrative blockade, members of the Ganeshotsav Samiti refused to yield to police persuasion, halted the procession, and brought the sacred murti back to the temple where it was re-installed in protest. 

Talks between Haveri Superintendent of Police Yashodha Vantagodi and committee leaders ended in an impasse, with devotees pointing out that the festival had been celebrated peacefully along that route for over thirty years without a single untoward incident. Samiti President Shri. Mahesh condemned the police action as unwarranted provocation, announcing that a broader community meeting would soon be convened to decide the future course of action and ensure that all processions are taken out along the main road.

Madannapet, Hyderabad (Telangana): Mutton pieces thrown by fanatics at a Ganesh immersion event

Tensions prevailed in Madannapet area of Hyderabad, after unknown persons threw mutton pieces at a Ganesh immersion event on Sunday. According to police, a group of devotees took part in the Ganesh immersion procession. After the immersion, the organisers arranged a food distribution (Annadanam) event in the locality. As devotees lined up for lunch, unknown persons threw mutton pieces at the devotees. Objecting to the incident, people protested and demanded action. Police detained three suspects — Mohammad Imran Qureshi, Arshiya Begum and Sameena — after the protest. 

Editorial Perspective
  • Despite being the majority, Hindus repeatedly face disruptions by fanatics during celebration of every major festival.
  • How long will the authorities remain silent while the aggressors face little consequence?
— Editor, HJS
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