Mysuru, 6 April

Days after Mysuru Deputy Commissioner Lakshmikanth Reddy authorised the reopening of a madrasa in the communally sensitive Kyathamaranahalli area of Udayagiri, local residents have strongly opposed the decision, claiming it threatens communal harmony.

Residents gathered at the Huliyamma temple on Sunday, including the family members of Raju, the Right-wing activist killed in 2016 for opposing the madrasa. The protesters expressed concerns that the madrasa's reopening could reignite tensions in the area, which had witnessed violent clashes following Raju’s death.

The madrasa had been shut down nine years ago after Raju's murder, but following directions from the High Court, Reddy permitted its reopening on 3 April.

Protesters, including Raju's mother, Chandramma, and advocate Ha Ma Bhaskar, argue that the madrasa operates on disputed land.

Bhaskar pledged to pursue legal action against the decision, stating that reopening the madrasa would only exacerbate tensions in an already sensitive region.