Haveri (Karnataka), Aug 23 (IANS) Former Karnataka Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday demanded that police register a case under the Goonda Act against the person accused of desecrating a Hanuman temple in Shiggaon and banish him from the district, alleging that the incident was a deliberate attempt to disturb communal harmony.
Bommai also appealed to people from all communities to voluntarily support the Shiggaon bandh called in to protest against the incident, stressing that the shutdown should not be directed against any community or religious festival.
A 31-year-old man named Mohammad Jaffer was arrested for allegedly desecrating the historic Anjaneya (Hanuman) Swamy Temple in Shiggaon town in Haveri district of Karnataka.
The incident involved the accused entering the temple premises and urinating inside the compound while Shravan month religious rituals were underway. He was caught by local residents, who reported that he verbally abused them when questioned.
Following the incident, Hindu organisations staged widespread protests demanding strict action, leading to a Shiggaon bandh (closure) call for August 26.
Bommai visited the Sri Hanuman Temple near the taxi stand in Shiggaon town, where the incident allegedly took place on August 21, and spoke to reporters after inspecting the spot.
He described the incident as “heinous and unforgivable” and said the accused had allegedly entered the temple and urinated inside.
“The temple is situated above road level and has a gate. The accused opened the gate, entered the temple and urinated inside. It does not appear that he did this under the influence of alcohol. It appears to have been deliberate,” Bommai alleged.
He criticised the police for allegedly attempting to downplay the incident and demanded a detailed investigation.
“Drunk people usually urinate wherever they are standing. Here, the person opened the gate and entered the temple. Therefore, this matter must be investigated seriously,” the former Chief Minister said.
Bommai added that the incident should not be viewed in isolation and alleged that several incidents in the region had gone without adequate action.
He referred to a murder in Shiggaon where, he alleged, pressure was exerted on the victim’s family to reach a compromise, and an incident in Savanur in which a teacher was allegedly stripped and paraded.
He claimed that similar incidents had been reported from Hanagal, Haveri and Ranebennur.
He also alleged that cases had been registered against Bajrang Dal activists who protested against an illegal slaughterhouse in Ranebennur.
Bommai said youths at the Shiggaon taxi stand immediately alerted authorities and lodged a police complaint, leading to the accused being apprehended.
He alleged that the accused was originally from Adur in Hanagal taluk but had subsequently received a property title in Shiggaon.
Bommai claimed the accused had allegedly referred to this as a “return gift” to the local MLA.
“For the last 20 years, people in Shiggaon and Savanur have worked to maintain peace without communal conflict. This person has attempted to disturb that peace and provoke communal tensions,” he alleged.
Bommai said the bandh was intended to prevent further tensions and urged traders and residents to support it voluntarily.
“Our (BJP’s) bandh is not against any community or festival. We will not force anyone to participate. To prevent violence and communal riots, people of all communities should support the bandh,” he added.
Responding to the district administration’s reported decision not to permit the bandh, Bommai said people had the right to express their protest peacefully.
He also accused the state administration of failing to curb illegal activities, including gambling and drug-related activities, in the district.
“Gambling and drugs are prevalent everywhere. We have repeatedly brought this to the attention of the Superintendent of Police. A squad was formed, but nothing came of it. On average, a club is operating in every gram panchayat,” he alleged.
Reacting to District In-charge Minister Rudrappa Lamani’s appeal not to politicise the incident, Bommai accused the Congress of failing to respond strongly to previous incidents.
“Can such a Minister maintain peace? Did Rudrappa Lamani speak when a murder took place in Hirekerur or when there was a clash in Hanagal?” he asked.
“We have eaten the food of this soil, so we will speak the truth,” Bommai said.
He also responded to the Congress’ criticism that the BJP was not allowing discussion on the drought situation in the State Assembly.
He accused the state government of wasting time and said drought had affected the entire state.
“The state government should have declared drought immediately, but it is still hesitating. Now they are talking about cloud seeding,” he said.
Bommai added that the BJP was ready to discuss the drought situation if the state government accepted Minister B. Nagendra’s resignation.
“If the state government genuinely cares about the drought situation, let them accept Minister Nagendra’s resignation tomorrow. We will discuss the drought,” he said.
–IANS
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