Tension gripped parts of Bagalkot on Thursday when stones and even a slipper were reportedly hurled at a Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti procession as it passed near a mosque in the old city area, prompting police intervention and prohibitory orders under Section 163 to prevent further unrest.
The annual procession to mark the birth anniversary of the Maratha warrior king was underway in the late afternoon when the incident occurred close to Panka Masjid and the Killa Oni locality in Bagalkot’s old town.
According to police, the rally which began around 3:30 pm from Ambabhavani Temple and was proceeding towards Basaveshwar Circle was peaceful until it reached the mosque area, where some individuals reportedly objected to certain songs being played and congregational noise.
Officials said that as the procession approached, unidentified miscreants allegedly threw two stones and a slipper from a distance. One stone struck a police constable and another grazed Superintendent of Police Siddharth Goyal, causing minor injuries.
A civilian, identified by police as a Hindu activist Prakash Arakeri, also sustained a head injury and was taken to a private hospital, where his condition was reported as stable.
In a statement to the media, SP Goyal said the force was adequately prepared: “We were present with sufficient personnel. The procession began around 3:30 pm and these stones were thrown as it approached the mosque. We are reviewing CCTV and video footage to determine the source. After this, the procession continued peacefully and the situation remains under control.”
Policing Response and Prohibitory Orders
Following the altercation, local police intervened promptly to disperse onlookers and calm the gathering using mild force. Authorities said there was some momentary pushing and shoving, but no extensive clashes between larger groups.
Security was immediately tightened across sensitive parts of the city, especially around the mosque and Kottaleshwara Temple, a known pilgrimage spot nearby.
As a preventive measure, the district administration invoked prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS), banning public gatherings of more than four people, protests, processions, and meetings without prior permissions in Old Bagalkot, Navanagar and Vidyagiri areas.
These restrictions, officials said, will remain in force until midnight on 24 February. Residents and traders were asked to cooperate with security forces and maintain calm.
Despite swift police action, some reports said a few vegetable pushcarts parked near the mosque were set on fire amid the tension. Local traders told reporters that belongings and cash were lost in the fire before police personnel doused the flames. Authorities have said that CCTV and mobile footage are being scanned to identify those responsible for the arson.
Voices From the Ground: Traders, Participants and Officials
Eyewitnesses described a scene of confusion and alarm as the procession reached the narrow thoroughfare near the mosque. One local vendor, Jannatbi Doddamani, shared that she and other traders were forced to rush out of their stalls when the fire broke out. “We lost our weighing machine and cash,” she told a regional news outlet, urging authorities to compensate those affected.
Some Hindu activists present at the rally expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of police action, demanding swift arrests of those who allegedly threw stones. “We want those responsible to be identified immediately. If justice is delayed, it sends the wrong message,” said one protester, who asked not to be named.
Meanwhile, local police maintained that the priority had been to first secure the area and prevent larger clashes, and reassured the public that investigations were underway. “Our teams are combing footage and eyewitness accounts. Action will be taken against miscreants,” SP Goyal reiterated.
Wider Context and Sensitivities
The old town of Bagalkot, characterised by densely populated lanes and mixed community settlements, has seen occasional flashpoints during major cultural events. Security forces in the district routinely step up deployments for large processions, festivals or communal gatherings to pre-empt trouble.
In this instance, the presence of a large DJ-led procession passing a religious site in a confined area may have contributed to heightened anxieties, officials said.
Analysts and community leaders have noted that celebrations like Shivaji Jayanti while primarily cultural can acquire layered meanings in places with a history of communal sensitivities. In past months and years, similar events in different parts of Karnataka and India have witnessed sporadic disagreements, though not always escalating into significant violence.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, we recognise that cultural celebrations are an expression of identity, heritage and collective pride. However, when such events intersect with densely populated, diverse neighbourhoods, extra care, mutual respect and shared responsibility are essential to prevent hurt and discord.
Today’s episode in Bagalkot where an ostensibly peaceful procession was disrupted by stone-pelting, minor injuries and subsequent prohibitory orders underlines how quickly emotions can flare in the absence of dialogue, clear communication and shared etiquette among celebrants.
Peace and coexistence are foundational for harmonious societies, especially in multi-faith towns like Bagalkot.
Law enforcement’s swift effort to contain the situation averted greater harm, yet deeper engagement among communities, faith leaders and civic representatives remains vital to prevent recurrence.
