BJP lawmakers staged a protest in the Karnataka Legislative Council against restrictions on Ganesh festival celebrations in Kalaburagi
Bengaluru
Tensions erupted in the Karnataka Legislative Council on Friday as BJP members protested restrictions imposed on the celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi in Kalaburagi district. The state government had issued directives banning the use of DG sets and amplified sound systems during the festival, citing noise regulations.
BJP member Shashil Namoshi questioned the government’s reasoning, asking why such rules were enforced in Kalaburagi when similar restrictions did not exist in Bengaluru. He argued that Ganesh festival has historically been a celebration of freedom, initiated during the time of Tilak with the sanction of the British, and should be allowed to proceed with full grandeur.
Another BJP leader, Pradeep Shettar, criticized the restrictions on Hindu festivals, pointing out that other communities were allowed to use loud sound systems at night. Meanwhile, Chhalavadi Narayanaswamy demanded a uniform state-level law for festival celebrations, stressing that Kalaburagi should not have separate rules and residents should not require special permission for festivities.
Council Chairman Leader Bosaraju clarified that the power to grant permissions and regulate festival norms rests with the district commissioners (DCs), and the state government has not issued any new rules. He assured that the DCs would implement regulations suitable to each district and that the rules for Kalaburagi would be reviewed.
Despite this clarification, BJP members insisted on allowing a grand Ganesh celebration and staged a protest inside the council chamber, chanting slogans against the government. The disruption prompted the Chairman to adjourn the session indefinitely.
