Bhatkal: Activists affiliated with the Sangh Parivar created a commotion in front of the Masjid after the unauthorized installation of pole removed by Jali administration on early Monday Morning. The incident happened at Devi nagar 2nd cross under Jali patan panchayat limit in Bhatkal taluk.

With parliamentary elections approaching, some locals speculate that Sangh Parivar members deliberately installed the saffron flagpole outside the Masjid, possibly with the intention of escalating communal tensions.

The episode unfolded on Sunday when activists painted on a stone board and erected a flagpole. Masjid members alerted the police, opposing the installation of any pole for a saffron flag. The police arrived, and amidst claims that the board needed repainting with "Devi Nagar" in Kannada, it was repainted in the police's presence on Sunday evening.

Chief Officer Manjappa of Jali Pattan Panchayat responded to the illegal pole installation early on Monday. In the presence of Additional SP Jayakumar and Bhatkal DySP Shrikant, the pole was removed, and an FIR was filed against unknown individuals for illegal installation and disturbance of peace in the taluk.

At 11 am on Monday, Sangh Parivar members confronted the police, protesting the pole's removal. They demanded Chief Officer Manjappa's presence, leading to a sit-in. When Manjappa did not arrive, verbal clashes erupted, with protesters chanting slogans against him and "Jai Shri Ram." denied permission to install their flagpole and raise their flag, Sangh Parivar suggested removing the green flag from the masjid.

Tensions briefly flared during verbal clashes with the police. However, the situation keep under control by police led by Bhatkal DySP Srikanth and Inspector Gopal Krishna. The police convinced sangh parivar members that the matter would be discussed and finalized in a meeting with the Tehsildar scheduled for Tuesday morning.

بھٹکل جالی میں مسجد کے سامنے بھگوا جھنڈا لگانے کی کوشش ناکام؛ کھمبے کو نکالنے پر سنگھ پریوار کے کارکنان نے کیا احتجاج