Cops ban Ganesha idol processions in Bengaluru after incidents of violence

Bengaluru cops have forbidden processions of Ganesha idols in the city after a number of violent incidents, clashes and riots, including a murder.

Published on: Oct 11, 2023, 12:41:56 IST

By Yamini C S

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The Bengaluru police department has decided not to allow processions and dances celebrating the Ganesha festival in the city after a series of violent incidents were reported, including a murder. The decision came via an order from the city's top cop, B Dayananda, who instructed officials to bar all Ganesha idol processions and DJ dances in Bengaluru.

Devotees dance during a Lord Ganesha idol procession. (Representational image) (PTI)

Violent incidents, clashes and riots have been reported in a number of areas in the Karnataka capital, including Halasur, Yediyur, and Adugodi, according to news agency ANI.

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The city police commissioner has also warned that the inspector of the respective police station will be held responsible if Ganesha idol processions and marches are taken out despite being prohibited to do so by cops.

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Man stabbed to death after fight over dance

This comes in the backdrop of a gruesome murder, wherein a man was killed during a procession after having an argument over dance. The victim, identified by reports as Srinivas, was allegedly stabbed to death by a group of people after the argument. The incident occurred in Bengaluru's Adugodi area.

In a similar incident, a goat was also killed during a separate Ganesha idol procession. Officials have also determined not to allow installation of Ganesha idols in public places, as a precautionary measure, even though the festival is over.

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Police officers have also told media that they have received a number of letters, seeking permission for processions. Around 450 Ganesha idols have already been installed across the city, with more than 200 people having written letters asking cops to allow more celebrations, officials said.

(With inputs from ANI)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yamini C S
Yamini CS is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times with nearly six years of experience in digital journalism. She is part of the India News desk, where she works on a wide range of stories cutting across civic issues, city-based developments, politics, governance, public policy, breaking news, trending topics, and international affairs that have an impact on India. Her role involves tracking fast-moving developments, verifying information from official and on-ground sources, and presenting news in a clear, accessible format for a digital-first audience. A significant part of her work includes handling live blogs during major news events, such as elections, court verdicts, political developments, civic disruptions, protests, weather-related alerts, and unfolding national or international incidents. Through live coverage, she focuses on timely updates to help readers follow complex stories as they evolve. Before moving to the broader India News desk, Yamini was associated with the Bengaluru desk at Hindustan Times, where she extensively covered urban governance, infrastructure, traffic and transport issues, weather events, public grievances, and civic administration in the city. This experience strengthened her grounding in city reporting and sharpened her focus on citizen-centric journalism. She began her career as a correspondent with Reuters after completing a postgraduate diploma in journalism from the Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media. Her early training instilled a strong emphasis on accuracy, sourcing, and news ethics, which continue to shape her reporting style. Outside of work, Yamini enjoys reading across genres, listening to music, and spending time with her family, which help her maintain balance in a fast-paced newsroom environment.Read More

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