‘What Justifies This...’: Union Minister Raps Karnataka Police Over Ganesh Visarjan Lathi-Charge

Last Updated:September 14, 2025, 17:27 IST

Union Minister Prahlad Joshi criticised police personnel for ordering a lathi-charge to control a crowd in the Narendra village of Karnataka's Dharwad last week.

Union Minister Prahlad Joshi speaking to villagers in Dharwad. (Photo: X)

Union Minister Prahlad Joshi criticised police personnel for ordering a lathi-charge to control a crowd in the Narendra village of Karnataka’s Dharwad last week during the Ganesh idol immersion procession, warning that he would join villagers in a protest sit-in.

After meeting locals and inquiring about the health of those injured in Dharwad, Joshi wrote on X, “In Narendra village of Dharwad, while the 11th-day Ganapati immersion was being carried out in an extremely peaceful manner, the police resorted to a lathi charge on villagers, ranging from small children to elderly residents. A few police personnel, who had come to this highly respected village known for its simple way of life, acted on their own will and displayed aggression during a peaceful Ganapati procession."

The Minister, who is an MP from Dharwad, said he had delivered a stern warning to the Superintendent of Police about the incident, and demanded the suspension of police sub-inspectors responsible for this act, saying it had taken place without the knowledge of senior officers.

“I questioned — who ordered the lathi charge? What incident justified such an action? I warned that if the police officers responsible are not immediately suspended, I would join the villagers in a protest sit-in. I made it clear that any disruption to our festival, our culture, and especially Ganapati celebrations, will not be tolerated, and warned of future action if such behaviour is repeated," he said.

“It is highly condemnable and absolutely unacceptable that such brutality was inflicted on the villagers — the same people who had provided support and care to police and government officials during the COVID-19 pandemic. I reassured the villagers and urged them not to lose courage."

On September 6, two groups of youth began fighting over playing some songs in the music system during Ganesh visarjan. As the situation escalated, police resorted to lathi-charge and brought the situation under control in minutes, according to The Hindu.

SP Gunjan Arya later stated that the police acted on time to disperse the unruly crowd. The procession was completed smoothly later. However, some villagers claimed that the lathi-charge was politically motivated and demanded accountability from the authorities.

Aveek Banerjee

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international...Read More

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international...

Read More

News india ‘What Justifies This...’: Union Minister Raps Karnataka Police Over Ganesh Visarjan Lathi-Charge

Read More