Bengaluru, 15 September (H.S.): Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge has accused BJP leaders of creating unnecessary tension during religious festivals and questioned why police protection should be required for people to celebrate such occasions peacefully.

His remarks followed protests by BJP leaders against a police officer who reportedly warned members of a Ganesh Puja committee at T. Narasipura in Mysuru district to comply with official guidelines. The officer's instructions were reportedly aimed at preventing possible clashes between communities during the celebrations.

Taking a swipe at BJP leaders, particularly former MP Pratap Simha, Kharge asked them to pay attention to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's statement that Muslims were an integral part of India.

BJP leaders should listen to Mohan Bhagwat. He has said that Muslims are an integral part of our country. However, we are witnessing a different position being adopted by BJP leaders here, Kharge told reporters.

The minister questioned why festivals that were traditionally celebrated collectively had now become occasions for tension. People from different communities had earlier joined Christmas, Eid and Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, while religious processions and idol immersions had also taken place peacefully, he said.

Kharge urged the public and festival organisers to cooperate with the police during religious processions and refrain from actions that could trigger unrest.

People should celebrate every festival with happiness. Please cooperate with the police and do not insist on celebrating it in a particular manner that could create problems. We are all one family, he said.

The minister clarified that restrictions imposed on religious processions were intended solely to prevent untoward incidents and maintain public order. They were not aimed at stopping people from celebrating festivals or interfering with religious practices, he added.

Kharge said cooperation among organisers, communities and law-enforcement agencies was essential to ensure that celebrations remained peaceful, inclusive and free from communal confrontation across Karnataka.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman