Prohibitory orders have been issued in Shivamogga after clashes broke out between two groups in Shivamogga town of Karnataka, on Independence Day. Violence broke out after one group protested the display of a picture of Hindutva leader VD Savarkar at a local business hub, by trying to replace it with a portrait of Tipu Sultan.

According to the Times of India, Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), that prohibits a gathering of four or more people, has been imposed and will stay in effect till August 18. Moreover, schools will also remain shut today, not just in Shivamogga, but also in neighbouring Bhadravathi town. 30 platoons of armed police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) have been deployed in the area.

Trouble began when one group placed a portrait of Savarkar at a business hub in the Ameer Ahmed Circle area of the city. Soon another group protested, as the business hub was located right next to a mosque. This group in turn tried to place a portrait of Tipu Sultan at the spot, leading to an outbreak of violence.

Police had to resort to lathicharge to disperse the crowd. One person was arrested following a complaint by the Shivamogga City Corporation for allegedly forcing the staff of the business hub to remove the picture of Savarkar. In wake of the violence, local businesses downed their shutters.

Superintendent of Police Laxmi Prasad told NDTV, “We have imposed Section 144. Tension flared up so we had to resort to lathicharge.”

According to TOI, a youth, identified as one Prem Singh from Rajasthan, was reported stabbed at Gandhi Bazar, barely 200 meters from the spot. The youth has been admitted to hospital, and police are verifying if the attack on him was related to the clash. SP Prasad told Hindustan Times, “We will probe if the stabbing is related.”

HT also reports that later in the day, right-wing groups such as Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal held a flash protest in the city.

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Prohibitory order extended another day in Shivamogga, Karnataka when violent reactions to the death of Bajrang Dal member Harsha continued on February 21, 2022. According to Deccan Herald, around 20 people were injured in the incident, including two photojournalists, a policeman and a woman. Moreover, around 100 vehicles were set on fire. In light of the tense atmosphere in the town, the prohibitory orders are extended till February 23.

On February 20 night, youth Harsha, the Bajrang Dal member, was allegedly stabbed to death at the Ravi Varma lane in Bharathi colony. Shortly after, viral videos showed how his supporters had become violent on streets, pelting stones and demanding justice for the man. The police deployed a large number of personnel and imposed Section 144 in the town, and the administration shut down schools and colleges.

However, the sympathisers continued with the violence as seen on Monday when more videos of burning vehicles and attacks on Muslim residential areas went viral. Earlier, State Rural Development Minister KS Eshwarappa alleged the role of “Muslims goons” in the killing, even though the police had not confirmed the cause of death.

Nonetheless, Deccan Herald reported that the police permitted for Harsha’s final rites after demands from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal. The funeral procession went from the District McGann Teaching General Hospital to the Rotary crematorium at Vidyanagar. Despite security measures, miscreants threw stones when the procession reached Siddaiah Road. Videos depict vandals ruining stalls, setting vehicles on fire, pelting stones at commercial establishments, houses and mosques.

बजरंग दल कार्यकर्ता हर्ष की शवयात्रा के दौरान कर्नाटक के #Shimoga में दंगे शुरू, दुकानों और घरों को जलाया जा रहा है । मुस्लिम घरों को टारगेट किया जा रहा। हिंसा को कंट्रोल करने के लिए पुलिस ने आंसू गैस के गोले दागे है । pic.twitter.com/ePpOV8xWBm

— ???? ?? (@Asmaparveen77) February 21, 2022

Attacks reported on business establishments believed to be owned by a section, in Shivamogga, in the aftermath of Bajrang Dal member Harsha’s murder. Police presence is beefed up in the area. ⁦@TheQuint⁩ pic.twitter.com/wvyHeIftrH

— Nikhila Henry (@NikhilaHenry) February 21, 2022

This again occurred near the mosque at Gandhi Bazaar. In Azad Nagar, more miscreants wreaked havoc in a Muslim residential area. In some videos innocent by-standers like truck drivers were attacked by goons. Eventually, the police had to resort to tear-gas to control the situation.

कर्नाटक: शिगोमा के मुस्लिम क्षेत्र- आज़ाद नगर में चरमपंथियों द्वारा मुस्लिमों के घरों पर पत्थरबाज़ी की जा रही है. #Shimogaterror #Shimoga pic.twitter.com/VKWOjiP5BP

— Shyam Meera Singh (@ShyamMeeraSingh) February 21, 2022

It is worth noting that while the communal violence was started as a demand for justice to Harsha, the victim’s sister has given a public request not to engage in violent behaviour. Speaking to local news channels, she said, “Chanting Hindu, Hindutva, my brother fell to this stage. Kindly once have a look. I ask all my brothers, with folded hands, I ask Hindus and Muslims too, be a good child to your parents. Don’t do this.”

On Monday, the police arrested Khasif and Syed Nadeem as suspects, although they are yet to find a motive. Harsha was allegedly attacked by a five-member gang on the day of his death. Police suspect that the youth was targeted for his earlier communal acts and four pending cases with the Doddapete police.

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