Udupi temple bans Muslims from doing biz on premises
The Maari Gudi temple management at Kaup town in Udupi district of coastal Karnataka has decided not to allow ‘people from other faith’ to do business on its land during the annual temple festival on the request of certain pro-Hindu organisations, as the issue echoed in the state Assembly where the government sought to distance itself from the issue.
image for illustrative purpose
Udupi/ Bengaluru: The Maari Gudi temple management at Kaup town in Udupi district of coastal Karnataka has decided not to allow 'people from other faith' to do business on its land during the annual temple festival on the request of certain pro-Hindu organisations, as the issue echoed in the state Assembly where the government sought to distance itself from the issue.
When the matter came up in the Assembly, the ruling BJP sought to distance itself from the it, citing rules.
Clarifying that the rule does not apply to street vendors outside the temple premises and action will be taken if any obstructions have been caused to them, the government said it will look into the rules and actual situation on the ground, before taking any further step.
The move, not to allow 'people from other faith' to do business, was taken after outfits such as Hindu Jagarana Vedike and Tulunadu Hindu Sena, Kaup, appealed to the temple management not to permit the Muslim traders during the two-day religious fair yesterday and today, saying the Muslims had supported a bandh against the Karnataka High Court verdict on the hijab issue. This showed their disregard for the law of the land and the judicial system in India, they alleged.
"The pro-Hindu organisations submitted a memorandum asking us to allow only Hindu traders during the Marigudi festival and not the people from other faith. Accordingly, the temple management has decided not to give land on rent belonging to the temple management to anyone who is not a Hindu. Only Hindus will be given space to do business," an executive officer of the temple told reporters in Kaup.
The Udupi District Street Vendors and Traders Association has urged the district administration to allow Muslim street vendors to carry out business during Hindu festivals and annual temple fairs.
Speaking to reporters in Udupi, the association district secretary Mohammed Arif said banners were placed during the annual Kaup Marigudi festival stating that Muslim vendors should not be allowed entry. Similar banners were also displayed in Padubidri temple festival.
In a memorandum to the temple management, Kaup-based Tulunadu Hindu Sena appealed that no Muslim should be allowed to do trade during the 'Suggi Maari Puja' festival.
"No Muslim should be given place to put up stalls during the Maari Puja festival. If the Muslims are allowed to put up their stalls, you (temple authorities) alone will be responsible for the problem and the danger. Hence, you should not give place to Muslims to put up stalls," the Hindu Sena said.
