Mysore/Mysuru: Members of Karnataka Sena Pade staged a protest in front of the old DC’s Office, condemning the recent stone-pelting incident in Maddur during the Ganesha idol immersion procession.

The protesters alleged that the attack was pre-planned and carried out from the premises of a prayer hall belonging to another community, shortly after the Ganesha immersion procession passed through the area.

“It is deeply disturbing that several people, including members of the Hindu community and Police personnel, were injured and are now undergoing treatment at hospitals. The situation has left us wondering whether we are living in Karnataka or Pakistan,” the protesters said.

They pointed out that Ganesha idol immersions have been conducted peacefully for decades across the country. “We always ensure that festivals of the Muslim community are celebrated without any disruption. But every time, it is the Hindus who are subjected to such targeted attacks,” they alleged.

Criticising Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the protesters accused him of appeasing a particular community.  “The CM calls them peace-lovers — but is stone-pelting the way to show peace?” they asked, ridiculing his statement. “Along with the five Guarantee Schemes, this Government seems to have also guaranteed stone-pelting against Hindus,” they added.

Squarely blaming the Home Department for what they termed a total failure of law and order, the protesters demanded immediate and stringent action against those involved in the attack.  They also urged the Government to implement concrete measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

Sena Pade District President Tejas Lokesh Gowda, along with Prabhu Shankar, Sinduvalli Shivakumar and other leaders, participated in the protest.