Karnataka: Saffron flag hoisted atop mosque, brought down in Belagavi

BELAGAVI: Miscreants hoisted a saffron flag atop a mosque in Sattigerimaddi village in Mudalagi taluk in Belagavi on Wednesday. It is suspected that the incident may have taken place in the wee hours of the morning.
Hindu and Muslim leaders gathered at the Madina Masjid mosque and without much ado agreed to remove the flag and resolve the matter amicably.
Police who rushed to the spot brought down the flag. Both communities have filed a complaint with Ghataprabha police urging them to arrest those behind the incident. The village, said elders, has always prided itself on its commitment to communal harmony.
It was decided that after the day’s prayers, one or two elders from the Muslim community will stay in the mosque every day. The mosque is small with an open gate and has no CCTV cameras.
Villagers said both Muslims and Hindus have been living in harmony for decades. “We participate in each other’s festivals and celebrations. This coud be the handiwork of an outsider,” said a villager. Belagavi SP Laxman Nimbargi said that police visited the village after when they were informed of the incident. “We have received a complaintand will arrest the miscreants soon,” he added.