Prohibitory orders have been enforced across parts of Bagalkote district in Karnataka until 24 February after a brief episode of stone-throwing disrupted a Shivaji Jayanti procession on Thursday night, prompting police to arrest eight people and deploy additional forces to prevent escalation.Senior officers said the incident occurred when a procession marking the birth anniversary of Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj passed through a sensitive stretch in the town. According to police accounts, unidentified individuals hurled stones at participants, triggering panic and a temporary halt to the celebrations. Authorities stated that no major injuries were reported and that the situation was brought under control within a short span.
District officials invoked prohibitory measures under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, restricting the assembly of large groups in designated areas. Police patrols were intensified overnight, and senior officers remained stationed in the locality to monitor developments. Internet services were not reported to have been suspended, but authorities maintained close surveillance of social media platforms to prevent the circulation of inflammatory content.
A senior police officer in Bagalkote said eight individuals had been taken into custody in connection with the stone-pelting. “The arrests were made based on preliminary evidence and identification by witnesses. Further investigation is under way to ascertain the motive and whether the act was premeditated,” the officer said. He added that additional personnel from neighbouring subdivisions had been deployed as a precautionary measure.
Shivaji Jayanti, commemorating the birth anniversary of the 17th-century warrior king, is observed with processions and cultural programmes in several parts of Karnataka, particularly in districts bordering Maharashtra where the Maratha ruler commands historical reverence. While most events pass without incident, local administrations typically enforce route permissions and sound restrictions to avoid communal or political tensions.
Officials indicated that the procession in Bagalkote had prior approval and was following an agreed route. The disturbance reportedly took place when the group approached a mixed-population area, a detail that investigators are examining to determine whether the clash stemmed from spontaneous provocation or underlying disputes.
Political leaders across parties appealed for restraint. Representatives of the ruling government in Karnataka called for calm and urged residents not to heed rumours. Opposition figures condemned the violence and pressed for swift action against those responsible, stressing that cultural celebrations should not become flashpoints.
Communal incidents linked to religious or historical commemorations have posed periodic challenges for law enforcement in the state. Over the past few years, police in several districts have tightened surveillance during major festivals, citing the role of provocative sloganeering and online misinformation in fuelling local tensions. Security experts note that swift containment and transparent communication are critical to preventing minor skirmishes from snowballing.
Legal analysts observed that the imposition of Section 144 is a standard administrative tool used to maintain public order when authorities perceive a risk of further disturbances. The measure allows district magistrates to restrict gatherings and, if necessary, regulate movement in specified zones. Courts have held that such orders must be proportionate and time-bound, a principle officials say they have adhered to by limiting the restrictions to a few days.
Residents in Bagalkote described a heavy police presence on Friday, with patrol vehicles stationed at key junctions and shops operating under watch. Educational institutions functioned as usual, though local organisers postponed some follow-up cultural events linked to Shivaji Jayanti in light of the prohibitory orders.
Police sources said they were reviewing CCTV footage from nearby establishments and collecting video clips recorded by bystanders to identify any additional suspects. Forensic teams were not required as no significant property damage was reported, but authorities are documenting minor losses claimed by shopkeepers.
State Home Department officials in Bengaluru were briefed on the situation and are understood to have directed district authorities to ensure that peace committees are convened if necessary. Such committees, comprising community leaders and local representatives, have been used in the past to defuse tensions through dialogue.
Bagalkote district, located in northern Karnataka, has not been widely associated with large-scale communal unrest in recent years. Analysts suggest that isolated incidents, particularly during high-profile commemorations, often reflect hyperlocal triggers rather than organised campaigns. Even so, they caution that political mobilisation around historical figures can heighten sensitivities.