Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament Pratap Simha faced resistance from Dalits in a village in Karnataka's Mysore district. The village had played a significant role in supplying the stone used to craft the idol of Ram Lalla, slated for installation in the Ram Temple in Ayodhya later in the day. Accusations of neglect spanning a decade and alleged derogatory remarks fueled the confrontation, as Simha, a two-time Lok Sabha representative from the area, faced a vocal and angered crowd.
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Simha, elected in both the 2014 and 2019 general elections, found himself at odds with the Dalit community. Accused of neglecting their concerns for the past ten years, the BJP leader, adorned with a saffron scarf, engaged in a heated exchange with villagers. Visuals depicted a tense scene as an angry mob confronted Simha, with the local MLA, GT Devegowda of the Janata Dal (Secular), also present. The situation escalated, requiring Simha's police escort to intervene and restrain furious villagers.
Verbal Confrontation and Failed Appeals
One particularly vocal protester, clad in a light green shirt, vehemently expressed grievances and had to be physically restrained. Despite attempts by Simha and those around him to appeal for passage, the confrontation persisted. The man in the green shirt, growing angrier, accused Simha, saying, «You haven't done anything. We have done everything. We also respect Lord Ram. Please get out.» After two minutes of escalating tensions, Simha conceded, walking away, only to be followed by the lead protester. The BJP MP attempted to calm the situation before being escorted into his