Furore over 'curbs' on Ganesha festival in Karnataka Legislative Council

Bengaluru: The “restrictions” imposed by the government on the celebration of the Ganesha festival led to a heated argument in the Legislative Council on Friday, leading to the adjournment of the House.

Raising the issue, BJP member Shashil Namoshi demanded that the government insist that the deputy commissioner of the Kalaburagi district withdraw the restrictions imposed for the celebration of the Ganesha festival. “Why such impositions only for Hindu festivals?” he sought to know.

Joining the debate, Pradeep Shettar, another BJP MLC, stated that no such restrictions were imposed for festivals of other religions. “Even the British did not impose such restrictions. While other religions were allowed to use loudspeakers three times a day, why are curbs imposed only for Hindu festivals? The government must withdraw this,” he demanded.

This led to heated arguments, and Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti questioned the government as to what was there to restrict in the festival celebration.

Floor leader N S Boseraju informed the House that the deputy commissioners have the discretion to issue such orders, considering the situation at the local level. “We cannot tell them not to issue such orders. It is their discretion,” Boseraju said.

Triggered by the reply, BJP and JD(S) members staged a protest, shouting “Congress is anti-Hindu.”

When the members did not oblige to stop the arguments, Horatti adjourned the House sine die.