“Protests Erupt in Mandya Village Over Removal of ‘Hanuma Dhwaja’; Tensions Escalate as Saffron Flag Pole is Taken Down”
Tensions escalated in Mandya taluk’s Keragodu village on Sunday morning as the district administration removed the 108-ft tall ‘Hanuma Dhwaja’—a flag post adorned with a saffron flag depicting Lord Anjaneya. The incident sparked outrage among the villagers, as well as workers from political parties such as BJP, JD(S), and Bhajrang Dal, leading to a protest against the district administration for dismantling the revered flag pole.
The situation had been tense since Saturday midnight when information surfaced that the flag pole was slated for removal. In response, hundreds of workers gathered at the site, chanting ‘Go back’ slogans against the officials involved in the decision.
The controversy stemmed from the installation of the 108-ft flag pole, adorned with a saffron flag featuring images of Anjaneya, near the Rangamandira in Keragodu village on January 19. Residents from around 12 villages, along with BJP and JD(S) workers, had collectively funded and erected the flag pole. However, a segment of the population opposed the installation and filed a complaint with the taluk administration.
On Saturday, the Taluk Panchayat Executive Officer Veena instructed Gram Panchayat officials to dismantle the flag, leading to protests from the villagers starting Saturday night. As tensions flared, the situation intensified on Sunday morning, resulting in a heated exchange between protesters and the police during the removal of the saffron flag in the presence of Assistant Commissioner Shivamurthy and Tahsildar Shivakumar.
The demonstrators expressed their dissatisfaction not only with the removal of the flag but also directed their ire towards the Congress government and Mandya MLA Ganiga Ravikumar. Banners and flexes featuring MLA Ravikumar were torn down during the protests. In response, the police resorted to mild caning to control the crowd.
As a precautionary measure, police security has been heightened in the village. Superintendent of Police N Yatish and other officials are stationed at the site, and twelve KSRP platoons have been deployed. In protest, the villagers have called for a voluntary bandh, setting fires, and blocking roads, including the Mandya-Yediyuru state highway. The incident underscores the heightened emotions surrounding the cultural and religious symbols in the region.
