India, Sept. 14 -- A Ganesh procession in Mysuru's T Narasipur area has triggered a political row after a policeman warned organisers against taking it past a mosque and said he would "deal with" them if they burst firecrackers there.

A video of the exchange shows the policeman describing the matter as sensitive and objecting to firecrackers being burst near the mosque. The remarks have since become a flashpoint between the Congress government and the BJP over whether the administration is regulating a religious celebration or trying to prevent confrontations during processions.

"You must not take that route. A festival must be like a festival that makes others respect you. But you will all go and burst crackers in front of the masjid. ...