Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], September 10 (ANI): After the recent incident of stone-pelting during Ganesh visarjan in the Maddur region of Karnataka, Karnataka BJP President BY Vijayendra has accused the State government of appeasement and administrative failure, adding that anti-national elements are given free hand.

Karnataka BJP President BY Vijayendra, who is leading a BJP fact-finding committee on the stone pelting incident in Maddur, accused the state government of a lack of law and order and said, 'It clearly shows how few anti-national elements have been given a free hand by the local administration. Our local Hindus are not allowed to take out a procession before a mosque. What is happening in Karnataka? There is complete failure on the part of the police and the intelligence. When permission for a Ganesha procession was already granted, then why was there no proper deployment of police? Not a single woman police constable was there despite the presence of many women. Pelting stones at Hindus is intolerable.'

He also addressed the statement made by the Karnataka CM, accusing the BJP of disturbing peace. He said, 'The statement by the CM saying that BJP is trying to disturb peace & harmony and district incharge minister blaming BJP and JD(S)...BJP had kept quiet all along, but appeasement politics by the Congress government has stooped to such a level. We demand that the CM take up the responsibility and order a judicial probe.'

He further showed his support to the 'Hindu karyakartas' and said, 'Hindu karyakartas were targeted...The SP himself said that stone pelting started from some muslim youths...We are here to instil confidence in Hindu karyakartas, not to disrupt peace & harmony...What action has the state government taken?...'

BJP leader R Ashok also demanded a proper investigation into the stone pelting incident and said, ' I am sure it is a pre-planned incident. We demand a proper investigation and invoke the Goonda Act against those who pelted stones.'

Meanwhile, there is a heavy police deployment in Karnataka's Maddur town on Tuesday morning after protests broke out on Monday evening against the stone pelting incident.

Markets have been deserted as shops have not opened since last night with the imposition of prohibitory orders. Meanwhile, the Hindu religious organisations in the area are holding a meeting on the issue.

A total of 21 people have been arrested following the stone pelting incident and the subsequent protest, which broke out in response. Earlier on Monday, police lathi-charged the protesters in an effort to disperse the crowd. (ANI)