NEW DELHI: Keragodu village in Kerala faced a tense situation on Sunday when a saffron flag bearing Lord Hanuman’s portrait was removed from a 108-ft-tall flag post, leading to a confrontation between state government and opposition party.
A large number of police personnel were deployed, and a mild lathi charge was used to control the situation.
The flag was later replaced with the national flag.The flag post near Rangamandira was funded by residents of Keragodu and 12 neighboring villages, along with certain organizations, including BJP and JD(S) workers.
The removal of the flag sparked protests from villagers, including women, who strongly opposed the decision. Some villagers even stayed vigilant overnight to prevent the flagpole from being removed.
According to PTI police sources, residents of Keragodu and 12 neighbouring villages, along with certain organisations, had funded the installation of the flag post near Rangamandira. Reportedly, BJP and JD(S) workers were actively involved in this initiative.
Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah expressed his dissatisfaction over the incident, stating that a saffron flag was raised instead of the national flag.
“It is not right. I have asked (the authorities concerned) to hoist the national flag,” he said.
Mandya District in-charge Minister N Cheluvarayaswamy clarified that permission was obtained to hoist the national flag, but it was replaced by another flag later in the evening.
“There may be politics behind it (the installation of the Hanuman flag replacing the National Flag). I don’t know who is behind it …This country works under democracy and the Constitution.
“Tomorrow they may say they want to hoist the flag (saffron flag) in front of the DC’s office. Can it be allowed? If it is permitted at one place, it will extend to other places. This is the only reservation,” he said.
“We are not here to hurt our youth. I have spoken to officials, police and youths. We are ready to install the Hanuman flag at a private place or near a temple. We will support them. We too are Rama Bhaktas,” he added.
(With agency inputs)
A large number of police personnel were deployed, and a mild lathi charge was used to control the situation.
The flag was later replaced with the national flag.The flag post near Rangamandira was funded by residents of Keragodu and 12 neighboring villages, along with certain organizations, including BJP and JD(S) workers.
The removal of the flag sparked protests from villagers, including women, who strongly opposed the decision. Some villagers even stayed vigilant overnight to prevent the flagpole from being removed.
According to PTI police sources, residents of Keragodu and 12 neighbouring villages, along with certain organisations, had funded the installation of the flag post near Rangamandira. Reportedly, BJP and JD(S) workers were actively involved in this initiative.
Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah expressed his dissatisfaction over the incident, stating that a saffron flag was raised instead of the national flag.
“It is not right. I have asked (the authorities concerned) to hoist the national flag,” he said.
Mandya District in-charge Minister N Cheluvarayaswamy clarified that permission was obtained to hoist the national flag, but it was replaced by another flag later in the evening.
“There may be politics behind it (the installation of the Hanuman flag replacing the National Flag). I don’t know who is behind it …This country works under democracy and the Constitution.
“Tomorrow they may say they want to hoist the flag (saffron flag) in front of the DC’s office. Can it be allowed? If it is permitted at one place, it will extend to other places. This is the only reservation,” he said.
“We are not here to hurt our youth. I have spoken to officials, police and youths. We are ready to install the Hanuman flag at a private place or near a temple. We will support them. We too are Rama Bhaktas,” he added.
(With agency inputs)