In a show of harmony amid controversies in the rest of the state, Hindus and Muslims came together in Karnataka's Mandya to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi. They set up a pandal, decorated it with flowers and garlands and installed a Lord Ganesha idol. The 10-day event was conducted with great pomp as pooja and prasad distribution were in full swing.
ANI quoted a local resident, Mohamad Zakir, saying that this tradition has been going on for the last 17 years and through it, they want to give the message of communal harmony."Harmony and love are more important than any other communal thing, we wanted to establish the Ganesha idol and give a message to society. We are doing it for the last 17 years. There was not much communal atmosphere and Hindu Muslim issues earlier, it started only due to politics. I would like to request whoever creates such tensions to please allow us to live peacefully," Zakir told ANI. Mandya's Superintendent of Police, Yatish N, was also present at the celebrations and said, “The festival is being celebrated at more than 1800 places. Here also, the festival is being celebrated peacefully, and there is no issue in Mandya as of now. We have made sufficient arrangements for the festivals.”