Tension grips Karnataka's Davangere over 'objectionable banner' during Ganesh Chaturthi

Davanagere: Tension gripped Mattikal in Davangere on Thursday night after heated arguments were exchanged between Sangh Parivar activists and the police over the removal of an objectionable banner set up at the place where Lord Ganesha idol was installed.

Veer Savarkar youth association of Mattikal in the city installed a Ganesha idol and see up banner with large-sized images of historical figures on a nearby road. Many of them include Savarkar. The context of the war between Shivaji Maharaj and Afzal Khan led to controversy.

Some people who saw the image objected to it and stated that it would harm communal harmony.

The police, who rushed to the spot at mid night instructed the Ganesh Utsav Committee to remove the objectionable image. The committee members, who rejected this instruction, said that this is a historical incident and cannot be removed.

A group of youth gathered at the spot and protested against the police by raising slogans. The police tried to convince many dignitaries including Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Satish Poojary. The protesters sought time till Friday afternoon. During this, an argument broke out between the police and the protesters. Karnataka Armed Reserve Police Force has been deployed at the spot.