India News: Protests have intensified in Karnataka's Mandya district over the removal of a saffron flag bearing Lord Hanuman's image. Local authorities replaced the flag with the Tricolour, resulting in outrage from locals and right-wing activists. The situation remains tense, with police maintaining a heavy presence. The flag row has sparked a political controversy, with accusations of appeasement politics and attempts to instigate people ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
MANDYA/BENGALURU: Protests intensified on Monday over the removal of a saffron flag bearing Lord Hanuman’s image from a 108-ft flag post in Keragodu, .
Hundreds of right-wing activists have been accused of staging protests in violation of prohibitory orders during the removal of a saffron Hanuman flag from within the premises of the Keragodu gram panchayat office.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal-Secular (JDS) have called for a protest rally from the village to the District Collector's office. Section 144 has been imposed in the village from Sunday and a large contingent of police personnel have been deployed. Karnataka: Security Beefed Up After Administration Removed Saffron Flag in Mandya, Section 144 Imposed (Watch Videos).