Bhatkal: In the lead-up to the upcoming parliamentary elections, attempts to stoke communal tension have been underway for the past two months across Karnataka, including in Bhatkal. However, these efforts have not yielded the desired results.

Today, Monday, a familiar scenario unfolded in Bhatkal as BJP MP Ananthkumar Hegde, accompanied by former MLA Sunil Naik and other party workers, ventured to Tengangundi port in the city's outskirts. There, they raised the saffron flag and affixed a board honoring Veer Savarkar, in defiance of previous actions by the Heble Panchayat, which had removed the flagpole and board, deeming them unlawful.

MP Ananth Kumar Hegde's actions appear to challenge the authority of the taluk administration, suggesting a disregard for the law, which has become a habit for him.

Following the incident, local residents and panchayat members have criticized Hegde, alleging that he lacks substantial issues to garner votes in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, given his failure to initiate any developmental work in the Uttara Kannada district. This perceived absence of achievements is believed to be prompting Hegde to once again attempt to stoke communal tensions in the district. Hegde has previously courted controversy by proposing the conversion of Bhatkal and Sirsi mosques into temples and making derogatory remarks about Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Notably, on January 21, just a day before the inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, a saffron flag was illegally hoisted at Tengangundi port, prompting intervention by the taluk administration. Despite their efforts to dismantle the flagpole and remove the flag on January 27, 2024, Sangh Parivar members persisted, reconstructing the flagpole fence on January 30. Bhatkal Tehsildar Tippe Swami and Heble Panchayat officers intervened, ordering a halt to further flag hoisting.

Nearly a month later, MP Ananthkumar Hegde returned to Tengangundi port on Monday, accompanied by his supporters, and once again raised the saffron flag and installed a Veer Savarkar board. This latest incident raises questions about the Congress-led state government's response to flagrant violations of the law, especially in the context of the upcoming elections. It remains to be seen whether the government will take decisive action against the offenders or maintain a passive stance, potentially compromising the rule of law for political expediency.