Two Karnataka cops transferred after lifting BJP MLA during Ganpati procession

Representational image. File pic

The Karnataka Police Department on Wednesday, September 16, transferred two police personnel for lifting BJP MLA S.N. Channabasappa on their shoulders during a Ganesh immersion procession.

According to IANS, the action was taken as part of disciplinary proceedings after a video showing the policemen lifting the BJP MLA went viral on social media, triggering a debate over the conduct of police personnel.

MLA Channabasappa represents the Shivamogga city Assembly segment and is known for his staunch Hindutva stance, the news agency reported.

Soon after the video surfaced online, Shivamogga District Superintendent of Police Nikhil issued an order transferring the two personnel.

The two policemen who have been transferred are identified as Ganesh and A.K. Prakash. As per IANS, both of them were attached to the Shivamogga East Traffic Police Station before their transfers on Wednesday.

According to the order issued, Ganesh has been transferred to Agumbe police station near Theerthahalli, while Prakash has been shifted to Anavatti police station near Soraba.

Police personnel lifted BJP MLA during annual Ganesh procession

The incident occurred during the annual Ganesh procession organised by the Shivamogga East Traffic Police personnel.

As part of the celebrations, police staff had installed a Ganesh idol on the premises of the police station and had taken out a procession.

N. Channabasappa joined the procession, and a video subsequently showed the two police personnel lifting the MLA during the procession and celebrating with him.

Video of police personnel lifting BJP MLA quickly went viral on social media

The video went viral on social media, prompting questions over whether police personnel had maintained the required neutrality while participating in a religious procession involving a political leader.

Shivamogga is considered a communally sensitive district and has witnessed revenge killings and communal tensions in the past. Against this backdrop, the incident sparked further discussion over the conduct of police personnel during public religious events.

The police department has stated that the transfers were carried out as part of disciplinary proceedings, reported IANS.

It can be noted that Shivamogga has a history of religious tensions, and key incidents include clashes during an Eid Milad procession in October 2023 and riots following the murder of a Bajrang Dal activist in February 2022.

(With inputs from IANS)