New Delhi: Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy has sharply criticized the Congress government in Karnataka in the wake of recent communal violence in Mandya, which erupted following stone pelting during a religious procession. Kumaraswamy, a senior leader of the Janata Dal (Secular), accused the state government of “inefficiency” and alleged that its focus on “appeasement” of certain groups was contributing to such unrest.
“Kannadigas are known for their peaceful nature and do not support communal clashes. The government’s failure to provide adequate protection to all communities is leading to recurring incidents. Appeasement politics is detrimental. During my tenure as Chief Minister, I ensured protection and support for all communities. It is the government’s duty to serve everyone equally,” Kumaraswamy told ANI. He announced plans to visit Mandya on September 13 to assess the situation firsthand.
“While the situation is currently under control, significant damage has already occurred. I will visit Mandya tomorrow to gather feedback on the developments. Some individuals attempted to disrupt the Ganesh procession, which has led to criticism of the government’s handling of the situation. The current administration seems more focused on creating an impression of serving only one section of society, which is why such incidents are happening,” he added.
In response, Karnataka Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy assured that action would be taken against those responsible for the violence. “We do not discriminate based on community or caste, whether Hindu or Muslim. We will address those who caused the rift,” he said. Cheluvarayaswamy inspected the violence site in Mandya and noted that the situation was now peaceful. He indicated that the Revenue Department and Police would conduct a survey to assess the damages and submit their reports later in the day.
“The situation is under control, and we have deployed adequate force. Schools and colleges have been closed today as a precaution. So far, 54 people have been arrested in connection with the incident. We are currently evaluating the extent of the damage,” the Mandya District Collector reported.
According to Mandya Police, the violence resulted in the burning of seven bikes and six small shops, with a total of 15 bikes and one car sustaining minor damage.
