Tension has risen in Shiggaon, Haveri district, following an incident in which a man reportedly urinated on the premises of the historic Anjaneya Swamy and Banni Mahakali temple, triggering protests and demands for strict action. Sri Ram Sene founder Pramod Muthalik has called for a Shiggaon bandh on August 26, coinciding with Eid Milad, to protest the incident.
The incident reportedly occurred at the temple complex near the taxi stand in Shiggaon. According to residents, a youth identified as Mohammed Zafar (also reported as Mohammed Jaffer Kadaramandalagi, 31) allegedly urinated on the temple premises. When some youths questioned him, he allegedly abused them.
Residents subsequently caught the youth and handed him over to the police. They demanded that the authorities take strict action and ensure that similar incidents do not recur. Shiggaon police took the accused into custody and initiated a probe. A case has been registered against him under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and he was arrested in connection with the incident.
Preliminary inquiry revealed that Jaffer would often sleep in the vicinity of the temple premises earlier but no one has ever objected to it before, police said, adding that further investigation is underway to ascertain the reason behind his act.
Speaking to mediapersons in Shiggaon, Muthalik strongly condemned the incident and demanded severe punishment for the accused. He also questioned what the reaction would have been had a similar incident taken place at a place of worship belonging to another community.
Muthalik also questioned Shiggaon MLA Yasir Ahmed Khan Pathan about the incident and sought an explanation. He alleged that the accused had described his act as a “birthday gift” to the MLA, and demanded that the statement be investigated.
He further alleged that the incident could have wider links and called for a detailed investigation into the possible role of local religious and political figures. He also raised allegations about people from Hanagal being brought to Shiggaon illegally and enrolled as voters, and demanded that the authorities investigate the matter separately.
The Sri Ram Sene leader urged the deputy commissioner and superintendent of police to ensure that the accused was not released on bail and that the case was investigated thoroughly.
The incident has also led to demands for greater security around temples in the town. Hindus said places of worship should be protected from acts that could provoke communal tension.
Meanwhile, Hindus cleaned the temple premises with gomutra following the alleged incident. Hundreds of people, including Muthalik, participated in the cleaning drive. They also performed a special puja at the temple after cleaning the premises.
Muthalik referred to other incidents in Haveri district while criticising what he described as repeated attacks against members of the Hindu community. He mentioned an alleged assault at Naregal village in Hanagal taluk during Karahunnime and the murder of a pan-shop owner, Shivajirao, in Rattihalli.
He questioned whether people belonging to the Hindu community could live peacefully if such incidents continued and said Hindu organisations would intensify their protests.
The bandh call for August 26 is likely to bring the issue into sharper focus, particularly as it coincides with Eid Milad. Police and district authorities are expected to monitor the situation closely to prevent any untoward incidents.
Authorities are likely to focus on maintaining communal harmony and preventing provocative statements or activities that could escalate tensions. Local leaders and community representatives may also be called upon to appeal for peace.
The police investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident, verify the allegations made by the accused and complainants, and determine whether there was any motive behind the act.
For Hindus in Shiggaon, the temple desecration incident is a painful reminder of the need for stronger protection of sacred spaces, even as authorities work to ensure that justice is served and communal harmony is preserved.
