New Delhi: JD(S) leader and Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Thursday said the Karnataka government's "failure" and "inefficiency" were responsible for clashes during a Ganesh idol immersion procession. in his home constituency, Mandya.
The incident, he said, reflects poorly on the state government's ability to maintain law and order.
Clashes broke out between two groups during the immersion procession at Nagamangala, following which several shops and vehicles were vandalized by the mobs, leading to a tense situation.
Police said 52 people were arrested following Wednesday night's incidents and prohibitory orders preventing the gathering of more than four people in this town in Mandya district were imposed until September 14 as a precautionary measure.
Home Minister G. Parameshwara said the clashes cannot be termed as "communal violence" as he maintained that the incident occurred "suddenly".
Speaking to reporters, Kumaraswamy, son of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, said: "Some miscreants have tried to disrupt the procession. The situation is now under control but damage has already been done."
He said he would visit Mandya on Friday for a first-hand assessment of the incident and the current situation.
The JD(S) president claimed that the clashes took place due to the "failure" and "inefficiency" of the state government.
"The policy of appeasement is not good," he added, attacking the ruling Congress.
Responding to Parameshwara's statement downplaying the incident, Kumaraswamy replied: "For them, it is not a big issue."
He alleged that such incidents have taken place since the Congress-led government came to power in Karnataka.
"(The state government) wanted to give an impression that they are working for a set of people," Kumaraswamy said, urging the administration to safeguard the interests of all communities.
When asked about the possibility of a pre-planned attack, the minister noted that the residents of Mandya have coexisted peacefully for five decades. He suggested that "outside evildoers" could have instigated the clashes.
Kumaraswamy, who served two terms as chief minister, emphasized his track record of supporting all communities.
"The government's responsibility is to take care of everyone. That's important," he concluded.
The incident, he said, reflects poorly on the state government's ability to maintain law and order.
Clashes broke out between two groups during the immersion procession at Nagamangala, following which several shops and vehicles were vandalized by the mobs, leading to a tense situation.
Police said 52 people were arrested following Wednesday night's incidents and prohibitory orders preventing the gathering of more than four people in this town in Mandya district were imposed until September 14 as a precautionary measure.
Home Minister G. Parameshwara said the clashes cannot be termed as "communal violence" as he maintained that the incident occurred "suddenly".
Speaking to reporters, Kumaraswamy, son of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, said: "Some miscreants have tried to disrupt the procession. The situation is now under control but damage has already been done."
He said he would visit Mandya on Friday for a first-hand assessment of the incident and the current situation.
The JD(S) president claimed that the clashes took place due to the "failure" and "inefficiency" of the state government.
"The policy of appeasement is not good," he added, attacking the ruling Congress.
Responding to Parameshwara's statement downplaying the incident, Kumaraswamy replied: "For them, it is not a big issue."
He alleged that such incidents have taken place since the Congress-led government came to power in Karnataka.
"(The state government) wanted to give an impression that they are working for a set of people," Kumaraswamy said, urging the administration to safeguard the interests of all communities.
When asked about the possibility of a pre-planned attack, the minister noted that the residents of Mandya have coexisted peacefully for five decades. He suggested that "outside evildoers" could have instigated the clashes.
Kumaraswamy, who served two terms as chief minister, emphasized his track record of supporting all communities.
"The government's responsibility is to take care of everyone. That's important," he concluded.
