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K’taka Congress Orders Removal Of Street Lights With Hindu Symbols In Hanuman’s Birthplace Gangavathi After SDPI Objects

The Commune
K'taka Congress Orders Removal Of Street Lights With Hindu Symbols In Hanuman's Birthplace Gangavathi After SDPI Objects

In a move that has sparked widespread dissension, the Congress-led Karnataka government has ordered the removal of bow and arrow symbols from newly installed streetlight poles in Gangavathi, Koppal district. The decision came after the local unit of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) raised objections, claiming that the symbols, installed as part of a town beautification project, were ‘non-secular’ and ‘posed a threat’ to communal harmony.

The streetlights, designed by Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL), were installed in July 2024 between Nagar Cross and CBS Circle in Gangavathi, a region of significant cultural and religious importance, revered as the birthplace of Lord Hanuman. The poles featured symbols such as a mace, a bow, and the name of Tirupati Thimmappa, a revered Hindu deity, reflecting the area’s deep spiritual heritage. These designs were similar to streetlamps installed in Ayodhya and Tirumala; areas known for their religious significance.

However, the local SDPI unit, led by President Mohammad Ali, filed a complaint with the Gangavathi municipality in August, arguing that the symbols were a “provocation” that could disrupt the town’s social harmony. They demanded the immediate removal of the poles, asserting that the designs were an unnecessary religious display in a public space.

Bowing down to the SDPI’s demand, the Karnataka Congress government issued a directive to remove the symbols through the Tehsildar’s office in Gangavathi. The decision was based on a verbal order from the District Collector of Koppal, who instructed that the poles be cleared to prevent any disturbance to public peace. The order stated that the symbols were installed in a manner that could potentially offend religious sentiments and disturb communal harmony in the city.

Tehsildar’s office also requested that the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Corporation (KRIDL) submit a compliance report and take appropriate action against those responsible for the installation. Copies of the order were sent to various officials, including the Collector of Koppal, the Sub-Divisional Officer of Police in Gangavathi, and the Municipal Commissioner of Gangavathi, for further action.

The decision to remove the symbols has been met with strong opposition from Hindus as well as local Hindu organizations, who argue that the streetlamps were a celebration of the town’s cultural and religious heritage. Critics of the SDPI’s objection have accused the party of using communal harmony as a pretext to erase symbols that are part of the local community’s identity. They argue that the installation of religious symbols in public spaces is a common practice across India and reflects the country’s diverse spiritual landscape.

Speaking to The Organiser, Basavarajappa of the Bajrang Dal defended the installation of the streetlights, pointing out that similar designs in Ayodhya have not led to communal tensions. He criticized the SDPI’s demands as an attempt to suppress Hindu cultural expressions, citing the daily Muslim call to prayer (Azan) as an example of religious practices that the Hindu community tolerates without complaint.

Critics argue that the Congress government’s decision to oblige the SDPI’s demands undermines the secular fabric of the nation and sets a concerning precedent for the future.

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