Section 144 imposed in Karnataka due to Veer Savarkar and Tipu Sultan poster controversy: Shivamogga and Mangaluru, two Karnataka cities that have become communally sensitive, have once again made headlines. On Independence Day, this time, over a poster of Hindutva ideologue Veer Savarkar.
On Monday, right-wing groups displayed a poster of Veer Savarkar at Shivamogga’s Ameer Ahmed Circle. Another group objected because they wanted Tipu Sultan’s flex installed there.
When efforts were made to remove the poster, pro-Hindu groups launched a protest. To bring the situation under control and disperse the crowd, police had to use mild lathicharge.
Authorities have deployed additional forces in the area and issued prohibitory orders in the entire city under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The section forbids gatherings of four or more people in one place. According to the law, any member of such a “illegal assembly” can be arrested for rioting.
Officials have placed the national Tricolor at the location where both groups wanted to place the flex.
Shivamogga, Karnataka | Section 144 of the CrPC imposed after a group of Tipu Sultan followers tried to remove banners of VD Savarkar to install Tipu Sultan's banners in the Ameer Ahmad circle of the city. pic.twitter.com/rwyHdtnX1k
— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2022
The incident occurred just days after a flex was installed at Surathkal Junction in Mangaluru, naming it Veer Savarkar Circle.
The flex was removed after the Mangaluru City Corporation renamed it Surathkal Junction. Mangaluru City North MLA Bharath Shetty proposed naming the circle in 2021, and it is still awaiting government approval.
The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) filed a complaint with the police, claiming that it was “provocative” and that the SDPI is opposed to naming the circle after Savarkar until an official decision is made.
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