What triggered clashes in Mandya during Ganpati procession?

Fifty-two people have been arrested following violent clashes between two communities during a Ganesh Chaturthi procession in Nagamangala town in Karnataka’s Mandya district. The violence led to widespread destruction, with reports of shops, bike showrooms, and clothing stores owned by Hindus being set on fire.
The clashes began when a group from Badarikoppalu village was taking out a Ganpati procession. As the procession passed near a mosque on the main road in Nagamangala, it was halted for an extended period, which triggered arguments between the two communities.
The police intervened with lathicharge to disperse the crowd, but tensions escalated further when members of the Muslim community allegedly gathered in large numbers and began throwing stones at the procession from near the mosque.
Mandya Superintendent of Police Mallikarjun Baladandi explained the situation, stating, “When the Ganesh procession reached near the mosque, they spent more time there without moving further. There were arguments between members of the two communities over this. Police intervened and tried to disperse the crowd. Due to the large number of people, the police had to resort to a lathi charge to control the situation.”
“Following the lathicharge, people protested in front of the police station. Members of the other community also gathered in large numbers and started pelting stones. They even torched a few bikes and shops on the roadside. The situation is now completely under control. We have sufficient police forces, and fire engines are at the spot. No one suffered major injuries; only a few sustained minor injuries,” Baladandi said.
Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said the situation is now under control and peaceful.
“The police have taken charge of the situation. Fifty-two people have been detained. Some individuals pelted stones during the Ganesha procession, but everything is under control now. KSRP platoon has been deployed, and all precautionary measures have been taken,” he said.
The opposition BJP condemned the violence, calling it a pre-planned attack by communal forces and demanding an inquiry by senior officers.
BJP MLC CT Ravi criticised the government, saying, “These communal elements feel that no matter what they do, they have their government, which is why they are indulging in these kinds of acts as they please. Those who pelted stones at the Ganpati procession, insulted Lord Ganesha, and set fire to vehicles and shops should be punished. It is unacceptable that people who peacefully participated in the procession and protested against police action were detained.”
Ravi urged the Congress government to take immediate action to curb communal violence and called for a thorough investigation by senior officers.
Meanwhile, family members of the detained people gathered at Nagamangala Police Station, seeking clarification from the authorities.
The police advised them to disperse, citing Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, which prohibits large gatherings.
In response to the violence, right-wing organisations such as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal Taluk Secretary Mahesh called for a bandh in Nagamangala on Thursday.