The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) attempted to enter the Eidgah ground “without the necessary permission”, during their annual Vijayadashami pathasanchalana (march-past) creates tension in Chamarajpet area of Bangalore on Sunday morning.
As the RSS activists, led by Bangalore South MP and BJP National General Secretary, H N Ananth Kumar, marched into the area near the Eidgah, they attempted to enter the ground, saying they would hold the valedictory function of the ‘pathasanchalana’. The police, however, barricaded the ground and refused to let the RSS activists in, saying they did not have the necessary permission.
A verbal duel ensued between Sangh activists and police officers present on the spot. The police contended that march-past could not be allowed at the ground as it would be a “deviation” from the approved route.
Kumar, however, argued that the procession had been taken into the ground for many years before and “no special permission was needed” to hold the valedictory function as the place belonged to the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).
A group of activists refused to heed the police advice and barged into the ground, marching around. Police personnel then rushed to them and chased them away from the ground. The activists later conducted a function and hoisted the flag on the road adjoining the ground.
Senior BJP leader asserted that the State government had “instigated” the police to block the march-past for its “petty political gains”.
Kamal Pant, Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order), who led the police force at the spot, said the RSS had sought permission to hold the valedictory function of their Vijayadashami procession at Idgah ground. Police, however, turned it down as they had not been authorised by the BBMP.
With Deccan Herald inputs