Hassan: Devotees visiting the Hasanamba Temple are experiencing significant delays in darshan due to overcrowding. Even those holding VVIP and VIP passes experienced delays. Some devotees complained that officials and politicians were prioritising their family members over pass holders.
The nine-day festival, which occurs only once annually, will end on Nov 3. Security personnel faced challenges controlling the large crowds, resulting in small confrontations between police officers and temple visitors.
Notable visitors on Tuesday included MLA GT Devegowda, who performed a special puja with his wife and former CM BS Yeddyurappa, along with BJP state president BY Vijayendra.
Despite extensive preparations by authorities, devotees faced long waiting times to have the darshan of the presiding deity.
Confrontation between police, district admin
A confrontation erupted between law enforcement police officers and district administration personnel, including the deputy commissioner, during the Hasanamba Temple festival on Tuesday.
C Satyabhama, deputy commissioner, expressed strong disapproval and criticised police personnel for their conduct. The situation escalated when a brawl developed between Shashi, the DC's personal assistant, and a sub-inspector regarding the obstruction of a protocol vehicle.
Sources indicate that police forcefully removed Shashi from the area. Subsequently, the DC examined CCTV recordings near the entrance and warned of disciplinary action. Police responded defensively to the DC's statements and were displeased with her comments.