Keragodu village in Karnataka’s Mandya district has become the epicenter of protests and political unrest following the removal of a Hanuman flag from a 108-ft tall flag post on Sunday. The incident, which initially revolved around the removal of the saffron flag bearing Lord Hanuman’s image, has escalated into a tense situation, prompting heavy security deployment in the area.

The controversy began last week when a group of men erected a 108-foot flag post and hoisted the ‘Hanuman Dhwaja’ on it, with permission from the village panchayat. However, complaints against the flag led authorities to request its removal, despite the granted permission.

The situation intensified on Saturday as protesters shut down shops in a mark of dissent. When officials from the Gram Panchayat attempted to remove the flag, villagers gathered, chanting ‘Go Back’ slogans. The unrest took a political turn when banners of local Congress MLA Ravi Kumar were damaged during the protests.

Protesters, predominantly from the BJP, JD(S), Bajrang Dal, and other political parties, demanded the reinstallation of the ‘Hanuman Dhwaja.’ In response, heavy security, including police and paramilitary forces, has been deployed in and around the village. Section 144 has been imposed to prevent any untoward incidents.

The protests gained momentum as agitators, carrying saffron flags, marched towards the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Mandya city. Former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy is expected to join the protests, adding to the political dimension of the issue.

BJP leaders and workers across the state have condemned the Congress-led government, accusing it of an “anti-Hindu policy” and insulting the national flag. Protests staged in various district headquarters, including one at Bengaluru’s Mysuru Bank circle, led to detentions by the police.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah responded to concerns about the ‘bhagwa dhwaja’ replacing the Tricolour, stating, “It is not right. I have asked the authorities to hoist the national flag.” District in-charge Minister N Cheluvarayaswamy clarified that initial permission was sought for hoisting the Tricolour on Republic Day.

On Sunday, police resorted to mild lathi-charge to disperse the crowd, replacing the Hanuman flag with the Tricolour on the flag post. The area around the flag post has been barricaded, and CCTV cameras installed to monitor the situation. A majority of shops and establishments remained closed, adhering to the shutdown called for by activists and villagers.