Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has said there will be no blanket restrictions on Ganesh festival celebrations in the state, while asking organisers to follow police-approved procession routes and exercise caution around electrical poles and wires.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Shivakumar rejected allegations that the government had imposed extensive restrictions on Ganeshotsav celebrations. He said the festival was not the property of any political party and should be conducted peacefully and with discipline.
The statement came in response to remarks by Opposition Leader R. Ashoka, who had alleged that the government was placing restrictions on Ganesh festival celebrations. Shivakumar accused the opposition of attempting to create communal provocation and said he had instructed the police to remain alert against attempts to disturb social harmony.
Shivakumar said the government would not misuse its authority to restrict people. He added that political programmes by the Bharatiya Janata Party could be held wherever permitted within the legal framework. According to the report, he also said he had instructed officials to allow BJP programmes at the grounds selected by the party, provided they complied with applicable rules.
The Deputy Chief Minister referred to the public celebration of Ganesh festival associated with Bal Gangadhar Tilak and said the tradition should continue peacefully. He asked participants in processions to maintain discipline and remain careful near electrical infrastructure, including poles and overhead wires. The statement did not provide details of the number of processions, locations or permits involved.
The dispute centres on police directions requiring Ganapati processions to follow approved route maps. Shivakumar said such directions were intended to support orderly celebrations and public safety, rather than prevent the festival from being held. The report did not specify the particular routes or the administrative authority that approved them.
Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara also criticised the opposition’s position in a post on X, according to the report. He alleged that the police’s preventive instructions were being used for religious politics and questioned Ashoka’s motives. Parameshwara said the government would not compromise on maintaining law and order or on preventing communal conflict.
The Home Minister further said that intimidation or abuse directed at the police would not be tolerated. The government’s stated position is that celebrations and political programmes may proceed within the law, while procession organisers must follow police directions intended to prevent untoward incidents. Further operational details, including local permissions and route arrangements, remain with the police and district-level authorities.
