Stone-pelting from a mosque on a Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti procession in Bagalkote (Karnataka) !

Muslims also opposed the music played during a procession near a mosque in Bhagyanagar (Telangana) !

Bagalkote (Karnataka) / Bhagyanagar (Telangana) – Across the country, 19th February was celebrated with great enthusiasm as Shiv Jayanti, marking the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. However, in Bagalkote (Karnataka), stones were pelted from a mosque at a Shiv Jayanti procession, while in Bhagyanagar (Telangana), a dispute broke out near a mosque. In Bagalkote, police officers and personnel were injured. The situation there remains tense but under control, and prohibitory orders have been imposed.

Bagalkote (Karnataka)

In Bagalkote, Shiv Jayanti was celebrated enthusiastically in the morning under the aegis of the district administration. A grand procession was taken out in the afternoon. Late at night, as the procession passed through the Panka Masjid road while prayers were underway inside the mosque, some individuals took advantage of the situation and pelted stones at the procession, creating tension. In the stone-pelting, Superintendent of Police Siddharth Goyal sustained an injury to his neck while on duty. The police brought the situation under control, and a heavy police deployment has been put in place at the site.

“Fortunately, there has been no major damage. I have not suffered any serious injury; just a minor scratch. The police are verifying CCTV footage, and action will be taken against the culprits based on that. Adequate police bandobast has been deployed around the Panka Masjid and the Koteshwar Temple area. The situation is currently calm, and normal life is returning to the area,” Goyal said.

Bhagyanagar (Telangana)

In Bhagyanagar’s Amberpet area, on the night of 19th February, a YouTuber (a person uploading videos on YouTube) was recording a video near the Jama Masjid. Some people present there objected and assaulted the YouTuber. Around the same time, a procession of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was passing in front of the mosque while prayers were underway inside. A dispute arose over the music and slogans being played during the procession. Police who reached the spot dispersed the crowd, and the situation returned to normal shortly thereafter. No damage was reported. As a precautionary measure, police have been deployed at the site.

Editorial perspective

Given that both Karnataka and Telangana are ruled by the Congress—described here as ideological heirs of the Mughals—it is hardly surprising that Shiv Jayanti processions come under attack in these states.