More than half of all communal riots in Karnataka over two years happened in Mandya

Mandya, traditionally not considered a communally-sensitive region, unlike the coastal districts, reported more than half of the communal riots in Karnataka over the past two years. Of 54 cases booked in the State during this period, 29 cases (53.7%) were in Mandya.

Data, presented in the recently concluded Karnataka Legislature Session, shows it peaked in 2024, an election year, with 24 of the total 34 cases reported from Mandya. In 2025, the district reported five cases. Mandya is the only district that has reported communal riots both the years.

These include the dispute over the incident of hoisting a tricolour after removing a saffron flag at Keregodu (a site that Union Minister and incumbent MP of the constituency H.D. Kumaraswamy visited donning a saffron shawl), communal riots over Ganesha idol immersion in Nagamangala in 2024 and Maddur in 2025, and Hanuman Jayanthi processions taken to Jumma Masjid in Srirangapatna, among others.

“This data is shocking. For Mandya to account for more than half of communal riots in Karnataka indicates a deliberate socio-political experiment being afoot in the district,” said poet Rajendra Prasad from Mandya. BJP and JD(S) entered into an alliance in 2024, ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

C. Kumari, general secretary, Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), Mandya, argued that the lack of ideological clarity among Congress leaders has contributed to the deterioration of the social fabric in the district. “Ganesha festival has deliberately been weaponised with loud DJ music targeting minorities. This year, while there was almost a free rein for procession in Maddur, which eventually led to communal tension, there were so many hurdles created for a social harmony rally that progressive organisations in the district had planned,” she said.

While sources in the BJP distance themselves from communal riots, strategists in the party said that the party was clear that the highway to Old Mysore and Vokkaliga vote base for the party in the State was through Mandya. “We have very good response in Mandya and we will definitely grow there,” said a senior leader.

BJP trying to capitalise on the Jumma Masjid in Srirangapatna is not new. The Sangh Parivar has been trying it for nearly two decades, but it has gained strength after an alliance with JD(S).

Earlier this month, Home Minister G. Parameshwara announced that Special Action Force (SAF) to curb communal violence will be deployed in Mandya, on the lines of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Shivamogga districts. However, it is a “police solution to a socio-political problem,” say activists. This force is to proactively collect intelligence of instances that can provoke breach of peace and help the district police nip it in the bud.

However, a senior police official said that while a police response alone cannot solve the issue of communalism, it was an important part of countering it. “The resolve of the police leadership to act both proactively and swiftly during and after an event will definitely help curb communal riots,” the officer said.

Data tabled by the Home Minister, responding to the same question raised by BJP MLC D.S. Arun, shows there has been an increase in cases registered for fake news, hate speech and over provocative messages from 2024 to 2025.

The data shows a possible correlation between the number of cases of these crimes and communal riots. For instance, Bengaluru police booked 58 cases over fake news, 34 cases over hate speech, and 25 over provocative messages. Kodagu police booked 13 cases over fake news, 35 cases over hate speech, and 19 cases over provocative speech in 2024 and 2025. Both districts reported no communal riots in both years. In comparison, Mandya booked only four cases over fake news, one case over hate speech, and 15 cases over provocative speech during the same period.

A senior police official said that a SAF in Mandya will help in such interventions.