Hanuman flag row: Karnataka village official suspended for 'violating rules'

A controversy was sparked after a Hanuman flag was brought down in Karnataka's Mandya district, resulting in widespread protest by BJP, JDS, and pro-Hindu groups.

Amid demonstrations in Bengaluru and Mandya on Monday, Keragodu Panchayat PDO Jeevan BM was suspended for allegedly violating government rules and negligence at work.

Mandya Gram Panchayat CEO Shiekh Asif passed the suspension orders after days of chaos in the village.

The orders passed also mentioned the unauthorized construction of a flagpole on government land as one of the reasons for Jeevan's suspension. Besides, the panchayat official was also accused of not addressing the matter in the general body meeting.

The incident happened last week when a group of villagers in Keragodu hoisted a Hanuman flag after erecting a 108-foot flagpole. However, Mandya Zilla Panchayat CEO, Shaikh Tanveer Asif, alleged that the villagers had taken permission to hoist the National Flag, but they hoisted Hanuman's saffron flag.

He also said that the flag was taken down in accordance with the law.

Enraged by this, villagers called for a 'bandh' on Saturday in Keragodu of Mandya district, followed by a 15 kilometers rally on Monday from Keragodu to the District Collector's office in Mandya.

The protest rally was called by BJP and JD(S) workers, in which thousands of youngsters donning saffron stoles took part. Former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy also took part in the protest.

A banter occurred between Kumaraswamy and Karantaka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah slamming each other.

Meanwhile, there was a spill-over as protesters also gathered in Bengaluru on Monday to protest against the removal of the Hanuman flag. They were detained by the police.