Mysore/Mysuru: The midnight Independence Day programme planned by Triveni Geleyara Balaga at Triveni Circle on Rajkumar Road in Kalyanagiri, scheduled for late Monday night, was unexpectedly cancelled as the organisers did not obtain prior Police permission for the event.

The Triveni Geleyara Balaga had arranged a devotional songs programme at 7 pm on Monday, followed by flag hoisting by K.R. MLA T.S. Srivatsa at midnight (12:05 am). However, the Udayagiri Police, having visited the location, instructed the organisers to cancel the event as they had not obtained the necessary permission. Subsequently, the programme was called off.

Former Mayor Sandesh Swamy expressed his discontent with the Police’s intervention. He stated that the Balaga had traditionally celebrated Independence Day at midnight each year, but this time, the Police prevented it.

Swamy speculated that the Police may have acted based on a complaint about the absence of the local MLA’s (Tanveer Sait) photo on the banner. He accused the Police of acting under the pressure of ruling party politicians.