Mandya (Karnataka), Sep 16 (IANS): Maddur town in Mandya district wore a festive look on Wednesday with buntings and banners put up at major junctions and along arterial roads as preparations were underway for the Ganesh idol immersion procession.
Elaborate security arrangements have been made along the procession route in view of last year’s stone-pelting incident during the Ganesh immersion procession near a mosque. The procession is being organised by the BJP and JD(S).
The procession is scheduled to begin from the Eshwar Temple on Malavalli Road and proceed towards Petebeedi before reaching Kolli Circle. As many as 108 Ganesh idols are expected to be immersed during the procession.
Folk artistes and cultural troupes will also participate in the procession. Hindu activists, the BJP and JD(S) leaders have maintained that the Ganesh immersion procession would be taken out from in front of the mosque every year.
Police have stepped up security this year to prevent any untoward incident. Around 600 police personnel have been deployed along the procession route, while Mandya Superintendent of Police, Shobha Rani, is closely monitoring the arrangements.
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R. Ashoka, alleged that the government was adopting a “dual approach” in dealing with the Ganesh festival.
“Maddur witnessed violence during the Ganesh procession last year. The stone pelters from the mosque were different and the names given in the FIR were different. But now police notices have been issued to BJP leaders and Hindu activists ahead of the Ganesh festival,” Ashoka alleged.
Police have made additional security arrangements along the route as the procession is expected to draw a large number of participants. Officials said personnel would be deployed at sensitive locations to ensure the procession and immersion pass off peacefully.
It can be recalled, that a stone pelting incident occurred during a Ganesha idol immersion procession in Maddur town, Mandya district, on September 7, 2025, leaving at least eight people injured and triggering local protests and prohibitory orders.
Violence broke out when the procession passed near a place of worship in Ram Rahim Nagar, where stones were reportedly hurled at participants, causing chaos and injuries.
Law enforcement quickly dispersed the groups, imposed Section 144 prohibitory orders, and took 20 individuals into custody. Police later registered multiple cases regarding the stone pelting and subsequent protests.
Following the breakdown in local security, the Maddur town police Inspector was suspended and the Mandya Additional Superintendent of Police was transferred.
