BJP legislators in Hubbali protesting to ‘reclaim temple land’ court arrest; police clamped prohibitory orders as a precaution
BJP legislators and Hindutva activists were detained in Hubballi while protesting against the alleged encroachment of a temple pond for road construction. Police had imposed prohibitory orders in the area to prevent escalation during the demonstration.
Why it matters
This event reflects ongoing tensions regarding the protection of religious sites versus municipal development projects in urban India.
Protesting against what they termed as encroachment of temple pond to lay road, Deputy Leader of Opposition in Karnataka Legislative Assembly Arvind Bellad, BJP legislators Mahesh Tenginakai, Pradeep Shettar, Sri Rama Sene chief Pramod Mutalik and scores of BJP and Hindutva activists courted arrest in Hubballi on Saturday (August 22, 2026).
The protest call was given to ‘recover the pushkarani (temple pond)’ of Bhavani Shankar and Narayan Temple at Asar Honda in Old Hubballi, which according to ‘Pushkarani Samrakshana Samiti’ has been allegedly encroached upon by municipal authorities to lay road. The Samiti had given the call to reclaim the temple land.
BJP MLA Mahesh Tenginakai being rounded up during a protest to ‘reclaim temple land’ in old Hubballi on August 22, 2026. | Photo Credit: KIRAN BAKALE
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