Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Nov 9: Kulkunda cattle fair, which used to be a month-long affair, and finds mention in history books, is mired in controversy of late. Both Vishwa Hindu Parishat and Bajrang Dal have urged Dakshina Kannada district administration to ban the fair, proposed by some persons to be held from November 10 to 15. They said in a release that the decision of a few persons to go ahead with organizing the fair against the wishes of the local gram panchayat with an eye on money generated out of it is illegal.

“Of late, agricultural activities are on the wane. Cattle fair of Kulkunda is being misused by some people. Since the last some years, cattle bought at the fair are directly being transported inhumanly and illegally to slaughter houses located in Kerala. After some Hindu organizations brought such incidents to the fore five years ago, certain restrictions were imposed, but at present they remain just on paper,” they said.

These organizations have accused middlemen of creating fake documents in the name of farmers and taking the cattle bought by them to Kerala. Holding of the said fair has been giving rise to frictions in Sullia and Puttur taluks. The development officer of Subrahmanya gram panchayat had decided not to organize the fair this time, taking into account inherent problems. However, some gram panchayat members have made preparations to hold the fair from November 10 in a clear violation of law, they argued. They also have claimed that the cattle fair, which is being held without the approval of Agricultural Produce market Committee, is illegal and therefore, should not be allowed by the district administration. At the same time, they said they are not opposed to the holding of Cow Puja, exhibition of breeds of cows etc by the temple at the venue of the fair in Subrahmanya, and that they will wholeheartedly support such causes.

Bajrang Dal convener, Sharan Pumpwell, assistant convener, Muralikrishna Hasantadka, Puttur division convener, Dinesh Kumar, anand head of Dakshina Kannada District Goraksha Pramukh, Maheshkumar Menala, have issued the said release.