In Karnataka's Mandya district, tensions flared on Saturday within the confines of Keragodu village, igniting a wave of unrest amidst a dispute over the flag displayed. The initial discord arose when the organizers in Keragodu, duly sanctioned by the village panchayat to hoist the national flag, embarked on erecting an impressive 108-foot flagpole. However, diverging from expectations, the flag that adorned the pole was not the national emblem but rather a Hanuman flag.
This unexpected deviation from the norm stirred dissatisfaction among certain segments of the village populace. Consequently, village panchayat authorities intervened, urging the removal of the Hanuman flag, an action that sparked protests and vocal objections from concerned residents.
In the wake of the ensuing turmoil, the contentious Hanuman flag was eventually lowered. Subsequently, a call for a 'bandh' reverberated through the village, prompting voluntary closures of shops and impromptu roadside cooking activities, signaling a palpable sense of unrest among the local community.
Explaining the sequence of events, Mandya Zilla Panchayat CEO Shaikh Tanveer Asif elucidated, "One of the trusts sought permission to construct a pole for hoisting the national flag. Permission was granted as per government protocol. However, after erecting the pole, they hoisted the Hanuman Saffron flag instead of the national flag, which was a violation."
In response to the heightened tensions and the subsequent flag removal, law enforcement agencies bolstered security measures to preempt any further disruptions or potential outbreaks of unrest.
Reiterating the adherence to legal protocols, the Zilla Panchayat CEO affirmed that the flag removal was executed under established laws, thereby emphasizing the ongoing stability of the situation.
Â
