Dalit Protest In Karnataka: BJP MP Pratap Simha Denied Entry To Mysuru Village

BJP Member of Parliament Pratap Simha was on Monday stopped from entering a village in Karnataka's Mysuru district. The village had supplied the stone for sculpting the idol of Ram Lalla to be installed in the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Dalits accused Simha, a two-time Lok Sabha representative, of neglecting them for the past decade and making derogatory statements about them.

In visuals, the BJP leader, wearing a saffron scarf, confronted an angry Kannada-speaking mob. The police escort had to intervene as furious villagers confronted Simha. Local MLA GT Devegowda, from the Janata Dal (Secular), an ally of the BJP, was also present.

One particularly vocal protester in a light green shirt had to be physically restrained. The arguments persisted, with the man expressing anger and demanding Simha leave, accusing him of inaction. After a two-minute confrontation, Simha gave up and walked away, followed by the lead protester. The MP attempted to calm the situation, but a policewoman intervened, escorting Simha into his vehicle, a Toyota Innova.

This incident occurred just before the 'pran pratishtha' of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, a major event featuring Prime Minister Modi and high-profile celebrities. The event has fueled political divisions ahead of an upcoming general election, with the opposition criticizing the BJP for politicizing a religious ceremony. Additionally, two important shankaracharyas will not attend the ceremony, citing a failure to follow norms and a perceived "political angle" to the event.

Pratap Simha had previously made headlines when his office requested visitors' passes for two men involved in a security scare within Parliament. He clarified the situation with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, explaining that he had made the request on behalf of the father of one of the men who wanted his son to experience the new Parliament.