Tension prevails at Ragi Gudda in Shivamogga, following alleged displacement of idols

Tension prevailed at Ragi Gudda location in Shivamogga on Saturday (July 5, 2025) evening after a group of people protested, alleging the removal of idols of worship placed in a park at Bangarappa Badavane.

The local residents demanded action against a local resident, blaming him for the incident. They wanted his house under construction to be demolished. Shivamogga MLA S.N. Channabasappa of the BJP visited the spot and interacted with the local people. He also called up senior officers over the phone and urged them to take action against those who removed the idols.

G.K. Mithun Kumar, Superintendent of Police of Shivamogga, who visited the spot, informed the media that an incident of displacement of Nagara Vigraha (serpent idol) at Bangarappa Layout near Ragi Gudda in Shivamogga Rural Police Station limits occurred.

The local people blamed a person in-charge of a house construction and his friends for the displacement of the idols. “Upon verification, the vigraha (idol) is at the same place, but the glue through which it was stuck to the cement floor is loosened up. We have registered a case. The accused has been identified. We have secured two individuals”, he added.

Former Minister K.S. Eshwarappa is expected to visit the spot this morning. The district administration has deployed policemen at the place to avoid untoward incidents.