Journalists protest access restrictions at Mysuru Palace ahead of Jamboo Savari
Journalists said police stops delayed their arrival at designated coverage positions during the Mysuru Dasara celebration. A senior officer later helped them through.
Journalists protested at Mysuru Palace in Karnataka, India, ahead of the Vijayadashami Jamboo Savari after police restrictions allegedly delayed their access to designated coverage positions, The Hindu reported. Deputy Commissioner of Police Harsha Priyamvad subsequently facilitated their passage toward the North Gate.
The journalists arrived in a vehicle belonging to the Department of Information and Public Relations and were stopped near the palace’s Brahmapuri entrance, according to The Hindu. After an altercation, they entered the grounds but were stopped again before reaching the North Gate. They staged a sit-in on the path leading to the gate; Director General of Police M.A. Saleem then intervened.
Why journalists challenged the palace entry restrictions
K. Shivakumar, a member of Karnataka’s Legislative Council and a former journalist, questioned why officers stopped a vehicle with an official pass carrying journalists who had duty passes issued by the Mysuru City Police Commissioner’s office, The Hindu reported. In a letter to the Chief Secretary and senior police officials, he said inadequate arrangements had caused media workers considerable difficulty covering this year’s Mysuru Dasara celebrations. He called for disciplinary action against officers accused of obstructing them.
Journalists traditionally entered the palace through the Karikallu Thotti gate for the Jamboo Savari, but police designated Brahmapuri as the entry point this year, according to Shivakumar’s account reported by The Hindu. Senior police officials told the outlet that confusion over journalists’ entry arose because officers from outside Mysuru had been deployed at the palace.
T.S. Srivatsa, the Krishnaraja legislator, was present and criticised the obstacles facing journalists, The Hindu reported. The Mysuru District Journalists’ Association also condemned the officers’ alleged conduct. Its president, K. Deepak, and general secretary, Dharmapura Narayan, sought police action and disciplinary measures against those involved.
Jamboo Savari at Mysuru Palace
The dispute occurred ahead of the Jamboo Savari on Vijayadashami, part of Mysuru’s Dasara celebrations. The Karnataka government’s district administration describes the palace’s illumination during Dasara and identifies the golden howdah among its treasures. The access dispute therefore affected journalists covering a celebration closely associated with the palace.
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Sources and context
- Jamboo Savari: Journalists protest police restrictionsThe Hindu
- Mysuru PalaceDistrict Administration Mysuru, Government of Karnataka
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.