Karnataka became the hot topic on social media yesterday for the worst of reasons. In the wake of escalating tensions in Karnataka’s Mandya district, a single image managed to evoke deep sadness and outrage among Hindus across the nation. This picture showed the sight of Lord Ganesha’s idol, behind the bars of a Karnataka police van.
The powerful imagery made the Diety seem like a prisoner! Consequently, it spread like wildfire on social media. Amid rising violence and targeted “peaceful” attacks in INC-ruled Karnataka, this image represented the deep betrayal felt by Hindus! It became a symbol of a wounded faith and a disenchanted public. But what was the truth behind the Viral Ganapati picture? Let’s explore!
Truth Behind Ganapati’s “Arrest” In Karnataka
📛 Nagamangala Riots: Petrol bomb attack on Sri Ganesh Visarjan procession in Mandya! Home Minister Dr. Parameshwar said that although the incident was accidental, there was no major casualty or loss of life. This statement of the very irresponsible#HindusUnderAttack pic.twitter.com/1YECyZjCcp
— 🇮🇳 Prabhakar Acharya 🇮🇳 🚩 (@Prabhak41657341) September 13, 2024
Our story does not begin on the day this picture was clicked! It starts on the fateful night of 11th September 2024, in Nagamangala of Karnataka. During a Ganapati immersion procession, the “peacefuls” displayed their deep intolerance towards Hindus and sparked unrest in the Mandya district. Nagamangala has a 93% Hindu population, yet, it witnessed violent “peaceful” clashes. The radical “peacefuls” set Hindu shops and bikes ablaze displaying their inability to live in Harmony with the Hindus celebrating Ganesh Ustav.
"Only single income source…we are unemployed (now), sir": Bheemraj, a teary-eyed cloth merchant from Nagamangala whose shop was burnt down in the Islamist attack on Hindus celebrating Ganesh Utsav.#Karnataka #GaneshPujaAttacked pic.twitter.com/9dF2KMqdbo
— HinduPost (@hindupost) September 14, 2024
The situation became so tense that BNS 163 was set in place in Mandya to control the fury of these anti-Hindu riots.
Congress has new definition of Communal Violence.
Karnataka Home Minister says a Muslims accidently pelted stones at Ganapati Procession. Hindus responded by pelting stones and it led to clashes. So, it cannot be called communal violence.
For Congress, communal incident is when… pic.twitter.com/tkl0E09adO
— Ankur Singh (@iAnkurSingh) September 13, 2024
Amid these tensions, on 13th September 2024, the Hindus of Bengaluru decided to protest against the “peaceful” riots in Nagamangala. And here is where the viral moment occurred! During the protest, organized by the Bengaluru Metropolitan Ganesh Utsav Committee, police intervened to stop the protest. Why? Because the protestors lacked permission for their demonstration.
About 40 individuals were taken into custody, and in the process, the Lord Ganesha idol they had brought with them was also seized.
This image of Lord Ganapati idol in police van & this FIR naming organisers as accused will haunt @INCIndia across country & more so in Karnataka where @siddaramaiah led Govt runs on the wishes of left liberals . pic.twitter.com/PnaAsZn3q0
— B L Santhosh (@blsanthosh) September 14, 2024
The Bengaluru police placed the Ganesh Idol on the seat inside a police van. Many people took pictures of this moment, as it displayed the caged nature of Hindu rights and voices in Karnataka. Through the lens of a camera, it looks as if Bhagwan Ganesha himself was locked away! It almost seemed that the Deity and Hindus were suppressed in Karnataka! A picture is worth a thousand words, and the words spoken by this picture ensured it went viral. What followed was a wave of emotional responses across social media.
Maaf Karna Ganapati Bapa🥺🙏 pic.twitter.com/jzLgCiIWHY
— Vijay Patel🇮🇳 (@vijaygajera) September 13, 2024
A Heartbreaking Image From Karnataka
Bappa forgive us 💔💔 pic.twitter.com/lVcSVLQWVe
— The Pamphlet (@Pamphlet_in) September 14, 2024
The image of Lord Ganesha inside the police van struck a deep chord. Many Hindus saw it as an insult to their deity. Thereby, adding to the already heightened emotions following the Mandya violence. Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya was quick to respond, condemning the Congress-led government for hurting religious sentiments.
“This visual of Lord Ganesha in a police vehicle is terrifying,” he tweeted, expressing the feelings of millions who were disturbed by the image.
Congress’ outright contempt for Hindu sentiments is appalling. The disturbing image of Lord Ganesha in a police vehicle in Karnataka reveals their deep-rooted disrespect and hate.
Congress and its allies who also sit in the opposition in Maharashtra, have made a habit of… pic.twitter.com/93PSXypklr
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) September 14, 2024
As speculations swirled about the image, it became clear that the viral photo wasn’t from Mandya. Later, it was revealed that the idol had not been targeted by the mob or police. The Bengaluru police, in their attempt to manage the unauthorized demonstration, had placed the idol in the van along with the protesters. While speaking about the incident, a police officer told OneIndia, “The group of people attempted to protest in front of the Town Hall without permission. As a precautionary measure, about 40 individuals were taken into custody.”
However, this practical step by the police quickly escalated into a much bigger controversy, as the image of Ganesha in a police vehicle spread online.
The Aftermath and Outrage
The incident in Nagamangala village in Mandya district, which led to this entire chain of events, remains a sensitive topic. The emotional and psychological scars from this incident were still fresh for the Hindus of Bharat. Thus, the viral image of Ganesha in a police van deepened their sense of anguish.
For many Hindus, the image was more than just a photograph – it symbolized for them the helpless status of Sanatanis in India.
The image shows that Hindus and their religious symbols are locked behind cages placed by the ecosystem! While the image alone does not tell the full story, its impact was undeniable, becoming a flashpoint in a state already grappling with unrest.
A Symbol of Deep Sadness
The viral photo of Lord Ganesha inside a police van may have begun as an unintentional act during a protest. However, it has quickly become a potent symbol of the frustrations and grief felt by many Hindus in Karnataka. For Sanatanis, it represents something far deeper than just a logistical mishap.
The “Arrested” Ganapati reflects the growing unease about the safety of their traditions and the place of their faith in an increasingly turbulent atmosphere.
As Karnataka continues to deal with the aftermath of these events, the image will likely remind Hindus of Bharat of the intolerance of the “peaceful” community for many years. It shall also showcase the dilemma of the Karnataka police as they try to balance between maintaining order and respecting religious sentiments. The sight of Ganesha in a police van is a visual that, while brief, will never be easily forgotten.