Communal Clashes Rock Maddur During Ganesh Visarjan: 13 Injured, 22 Arrested
Maddur, Karnataka, September 9, 2025 – The town of Maddur in Karnataka’s Mandya district descended into chaos on Sunday night, September 7, 2025, as communal clashes erupted during a Ganesh idol immersion procession, leaving 13 people injured, including three policemen, and prompting the arrest of 22 individuals. The violence, triggered by stone-pelting incidents near a mosque in Ram Rahim Nagar, led to prohibitory orders under Section 144, a self-imposed bandh, and heavy police deployment, casting a shadow over the festive spirit of Ganesh Chaturthi in this culturally significant region.
The Incident
The unrest began around 8:00 PM IST when a Ganesh Visarjan procession, originating from Siddhartha Nagar 5th Cross, passed through Ram Rahim Nagar under tight police security. According to police reports, as the procession, accompanied by loud DJ music, approached a mosque, a group of miscreants allegedly hurled stones from a distance, targeting the participants. This provoked a retaliatory response, with some procession members throwing stones at the mosque, sparking a violent clash between Hindu and Muslim groups. The confrontation lasted approximately 10 to 15 minutes, creating an atmosphere of panic in the town.
The violence injured 13 people, including eight civilians and three police officers, with injuries ranging from minor cuts to more serious wounds requiring hospital treatment. The Maddur police, led by Superintendent of Police Mallikarjun Baladandi, intervened swiftly, using a mild lathi-charge to disperse the clashing groups. The Ganesh idols were later immersed in a lake outside the town under heavy security to prevent further escalation. Two First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered—one concerning the initial stone-pelting and another for the subsequent protests—resulting in the arrest of 22 individuals, including two from Channapatna and the rest local residents.
Protests and Bandh
The incident fueled further unrest on Monday, September 8, as pro-Hindu organizations, including activists from the BJP, RSS, and Bajrang Dal, staged a protest near the mosque in Ram Rahim Nagar, condemning the stone-pelting. Over 2,500 Hindu activists participated in a march from the Ugra Narasimha temple, chanting “Jai Shri Ram” and waving saffron flags, despite prohibitory orders under Section 144. The protesters defied police warnings, leading to another lathi-charge to disperse the crowd, which included women. This sparked additional tension, with reports of stone-pelting during the protest.
On Tuesday, September 9, the BJP, supported by its ally JD(S), called for a bandh in Maddur to protest the violence, resulting in deserted markets and shuttered shops across the town. Hindu religious organizations held meetings to address the issue, while right-wing groups demanded strict action against those responsible for the initial stone-pelting. The bandh remained peaceful, but the town’s atmosphere remained tense, with over 1,500 police personnel, including four Superintendents of Police, Additional SPs, and Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) contingents, deployed to maintain order.
Political Reactions and Blame Game
The incident ignited a fierce political controversy, with opposition parties blaming the Congress-led state government for failing to maintain law and order. Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy, a JD(S) leader representing Mandya in the Lok Sabha, attributed the unrest to “poor governance” by the Congress government, alleging it had left the Hindu community “dissatisfied.” He referenced a similar incident in Nagamangala the previous year, warning that “certain forces” were attempting to destabilize Mandya district, which he described as a “garden of peace.” Kumaraswamy urged residents to thwart such efforts and confirmed he had instructed district authorities to take strict action against the culprits.
BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra echoed these sentiments, claiming that Hindu festivals and processions were no longer safe under Congress rule, citing similar incidents in Mandya, Dharwad, Bagalkote, and Hubballi. Leader of the Opposition R. Ashok accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of inspiring a “communal gang” through appeasement politics, announcing that a BJP delegation would visit Maddur on September 10 to assess the situation. JD(S) youth wing president Nikhil Kumaraswamy condemned the police lathi-charge on protesters, demanding accountability from Home Minister G. Parameshwara and Mandya’s district in-charge minister, N. Cheluvarayaswamy.
In response, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah defended the police, asserting they acted within the law and had warned the procession not to linger near the mosque. He accused the BJP of indulging in provocation for political gains, stating, “Be it Muslims, Hindus, BJP, Congress, or JD(S)—the law will take its course.” Siddaramaiah assured that legal action would be taken against all guilty parties, emphasizing that the police had arrested 21 individuals and were investigating further. Home Minister G. Parameshwara confirmed the situation was under control, noting that the stone-pelting occurred “from a distant place” and not directly on the road, complicating immediate prevention. Agriculture Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy accused the BJP of orchestrating communal violence to undermine development in the region.
Community and Official Response
The district administration appealed to both communities to cooperate with law enforcement to restore peace, warning against the spread of rumors. Mandya SP Mallikarjun Baladandi stated that prohibitory orders would remain in place until Tuesday morning, September 9, and additional forces were stationed in sensitive areas. The authorities facilitated a collective immersion of all Ganesh idols in Maddur to prevent further incidents, completed under heavy security.
Local residents expressed dismay over the disruption of the Ganesh festival, a time traditionally marked by unity and celebration. “This is a festival that brings people together, but such incidents create fear and division,” said Anil Gowda, a shopkeeper in Maddur’s main market. Hindu organizations vowed to continue their protests, demanding justice, while community leaders urged calm to prevent further escalation.
Broader Context
The Maddur unrest follows a pattern of tensions during religious processions in Karnataka, with a similar incident in Nagamangala in 2024 highlighting the fragility of communal harmony in Mandya district. The region, known for its cultural and agricultural significance, has been a political hotspot, with the BJP and JD(S) coalition challenging the Congress government’s authority. The opposition’s narrative of “appeasement politics” and the government’s counter-accusations of communal provocation underscore the polarized political climate ahead of upcoming local elections.
The incident also raises concerns about the safety of public religious events, with the state government facing pressure to balance security and cultural expression. Karnataka, which saw lakhs of Ganesh idols immersed peacefully across the state, now grapples with the fallout of this isolated but significant disturbance.
Looking Ahead
As Maddur remains under heavy police watch, the focus is on preventing further violence and restoring normalcy. The judicial inquiry promised by the state government and the BJP’s planned delegation visit on September 10 signal ongoing scrutiny of the incident. With the Ganesh festival continuing until September 17, authorities are on high alert to ensure peaceful celebrations across Karnataka.
The Maddur clashes serve as a stark reminder of the challenges in managing communal tensions during large public gatherings. As investigations continue and political rhetoric intensifies, the town’s residents hope for a swift return to peace, allowing the spirit of Ganesh Chaturthi to prevail over division.
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