KS Bhagawan, Dalit leaders celebrate Mahishasura Dasara despite BJP's opposition

Mysuru: Despite opposition from opposition by BJP leaders, including Pratap Simha, Member of Parliament, rationalist and litterateur Prof K S Bhagawan and leaders of several Dalit organizations celebrated Mahishasura Dasara at Dr Ambedkar park in Ashokapuram on Saturday.

With prohibitory orders in force in front of the statue of Mahishasura atop Chamundi Hills and in front of Town Hall in the city in the aftermath of protests by the Member of Parliament and other BJP leaders, the venue was changed to a park with the likes of Prof Bhagawan and representatives of Dalit organizations offering floral tributes to a portrait of Dr Ambedkar in the park.

Addressing presspersons on the occasion, Prof K S Bhagawan said that he respected Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his recent statement that was born in the land of Buddha but condemned local BJP leaders who opposed Mahishasura Dasara.

A video of BJP MP Pratap Simha arguing with Deputy Commissioner of Police Muthuraj for allowing to put up a stage to celebrate Mahishasura Dasara at the Chamundeshwari hill here has gone viral on social media.

In the video, Simha was seen venting his ire against the police officials and even using foul language for allowing the stage to be set up for the Mahishasura Dasara which is not in sync with Hindu traditional beliefs.

The police officers, however, said that they were not connected to the event in any way.

As per Indian mythology, Dasara is celebrated to mark the victory of Goddess Chamundeshwari over Mahishasura. However progressive thinkers celebrate Mahishasura Dasara stating that he was a kind-hearted king.