Nikhil ‘denied’ temple entry in Ramanagara

Bengaluru: A controversy erupted in Dodda Kurubarahalli village of Ramanagara taluk after JD(S) state youth wing president Nikhil Kumaraswamy was allegedly denied entry into the newly inaugurated Sri Bisilu Maramma temple on Friday. The incident triggered a confrontation between JD(S) and Congress supporters, prompting police to deploy additional security in the village.

Nikhil arrived at the village around 3 pm on November 13 to visit the temple, which had been inaugurated as part of a consecration ceremony. According to local JD(S) leaders, the organisers announced his arrival over a microphone. Soon afterwards, a person allegedly locked the temple doors and left the premises.

Nikhil reportedly waited for nearly 45 minutes for the temple to be opened so that he could offer prayers. However, as nobody returned to unlock the doors, he left the place without having darshan. JD(S) taluk president Ramu accused a local Congress worker, identified as Ravi, of deliberately locking the temple after learning that Nikhil was arriving. The allegation has not been independently verified.

Angered by what they described as an insult to their leader, JD(S) supporters staged a protest outside the temple. The situation escalated when supporters of the two parties engaged in heated arguments. The confrontation reportedly reached a point where members of the rival groups were close to physically attacking each other.

Police personnel rushed to the village after receiving information about the incident and intervened to disperse both groups. With the issue taking a political turn, security was tightened in Dodda Kurubarahalli to prevent further clashes.

The controversy also drew a strong reaction from Union Minister and JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy, who criticised the alleged denial of entry to his son. Speaking to reporters, he said Nikhil had been invited to attend the temple inauguration but was prevented from entering the premises.

Kumaraswamy said Dodda Kurubarahalli had traditionally supported his family politically and recalled that residents of the village had backed him during elections. He said the village comes under the Cheeluru gram panchayat and had consistently extended considerable support to him.

He accused the Congress government of encouraging what he described as intimidation of JD(S) workers and supporters. The incident, he alleged, reflected the high-handed behaviour of Congress workers.

Kumaraswamy said the episode could have political consequences and asserted that people in Ramanagara would respond to the Congress through democratic means. Referring to statements made by the Chief Minister in Mysuru, he said the difference between political statements and actual actions would become

evident.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The Hans India