Veer Savarkar vs Tipu Sultan Poster: Tension in Karnataka’s Shivamogga, Section 144 imposed

Shivamogga and Mangaluru, the two cities in Karnataka that have turned into communally sensitive areas, have once again hit the headlines. This time, on Independence Day, over a poster of Hindutva ideologue Veer Savarkar.

Right-wing groups put up a poster of Veer Savarkar at the Ameer Ahmed Circle in Shivamogga on Monday. Another group objected as they wanted to install Tipu Sultan’s flex there.

Pro-Hindu groups launched a protest when efforts were made to remove the poster. Police had to resort to mild lathicharge to bring the situation under control and disperse the crowd.

Authorities have deployed additional forces in the area and have clamped prohibitory orders under Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code in the entire city. The section prohibits the assembly of four or more people in an area. According to the law, any member of such ‘unlawful assembly’ can be booked for engaging in rioting.

Officials have installed the national Tricolour at the spot where both the groups wanted to install the flex.

The incident comes days after a flex was mounted at Surathkal Junction in Mangaluru, naming it Veer Savarkar Circle.

The flex was removed as it was officially named Surathkal Junction by the Mangaluru City Corporation. A proposal to name the circle was mooted by Mangaluru City North MLA Bharath Shetty in 2021 and is still awaiting the government’s approval.

The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) filed a complaint with the police, stating it was “provocative” and that until an official move is made, the SDPI is against the naming of the circle after Savarkar.