Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Sep 27: The High Court has transferred the matter of reinstalling the Parashurama statue atop Umikal hill in Karkala taluk to the state government.
A division bench comprising Justice Anu Sivaraman and Justice T P Vivekananda heard the petition filed by Udaya Shetty Muniyalu of Varanga village in Udupi taluk regarding the reinstallation of the statue. Advocate V K Srikanth argued on behalf of the petitioner.
After hearing the arguments and counter-arguments, the bench noted the petitioner's counsel's submission that an appeal had been made to the state government and the tourism department seeking the reinstallation of the statue. As the matter pertains entirely to factual aspects, the court stated that it is the duty of the government to take an appropriate decision on the appeal submitted by the petitioner on July 24, 2025. Disposing of the petition, the court directed the government to issue a notice to the Udupi Nirmiti Kendra and hear their side of the argument while considering the appeal.
The 33-foot-tall Parashurama statue was inaugurated on January 27, 2023. Allegations subsequently surfaced that irregularities were committed by unveiling a brass statue instead of a bronze one. The statue was later removed, with authorities citing safety reasons.
Following this, Udaya Shetty approached the High Court seeking a direction to reconstruct and reinstall the statue with the intention of protecting the religious sentiments and cultural heritage of Hindus in coastal Karnataka.