Updated
Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (SP)
Puttur, Mar 17: MLA, Shakuntala Shetty, who had demanded on Tuesday for the removal of district deputy commissioner, A B Ibrahim's name from the invitations relating to the ten-day annual festival of Lord Mahalingeshwara temple beginning on April 10, changed her stance all of a sudden. Taking a U-turn, she said that the invitations would be reprinted only if the court directs the temple to do so.
The MLA, who herself happens to be a lawyer, had said that inclusion of the names of non-Hindus in invitations is not permitted as per law. She sought to clarify the matter by claiming that she had not called for any meeting on this controversy. Citing that as per rules, presence of Hindu officials is needed only during puja and rituals, she said that court orders if any on the issue would be obeyed, as certain organizations have referred the issue to the court.
In the meanwhile, a meeting of devotees held in the temple complex by pro-Hindu outfits on Wednesday asserted that the invitations have to be reprinted, duly deleting the name of the deputy commissioner. The devotees have also set deadline to the temple management to fall in line with their demand. They have also given call for holding a protest in the town on Thursday.
Leader of Hindu organizations, Arun Kumar Puttila, said that a procession would be taken from the temple premises to mini Vidhal Soudha, after which protest will staged there. If the authorities fail to act, stronger measure including road blockade would be held on March 19. Sri Rajashekharananda Swamiji of Gurpur Vajradehi Math will be present, he added. If the district administration fails to act, call for observing bandh in the city will be given, he warned.
Municipal councilor, Rajesh Bannur, pointed out that those from other religions or people not having faith in this temple cannot find mention in the invitation. He criticized officials for not convening meeting of temple devotees as per tradition, and instead, conducting a meeting at their own accord. He also criticized the deputy commissioner for justifying inclusion of his name in the invitation. He warned that the district administration would be responsible for untoward incidents which might occur as a consequence of its stand.
Several Hindu leaders were present. Muralikrishna Hasantadka of Bajrang Dal said that the organizations are not against any individual, but that they are demanding to stick to the tradition of the temple not to include names of non-Hindus in the invitations.
In the meanwhile, a meeting to discuss preparations for the festival was held on Wednesday. It was presided over by assistant commissioner. Temple executive officer, Jagadish, said that issues like hygiene, security, transport, water, lighting, and other facilities came up for discussion at this meeting, but the issue of invitation did not crop up.
Earlier news
From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Mar 16: Even as the right-wing groups, especially some of the leaders of Sangh Parivar outfits, have been vocally critical of the mention of Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim's name in the invitation of a Hindu temple for its function, the State Government has strongly backed the coastal district's deputy commissioner.
Karnataka's Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra, while speaking to reporters in Bengaluru on Wednesday, said the Deputy Commissioner is the administrative head of the entire district and naturally he heads all the temples coming under the Muzrai Department in the district, which are run by the State Government.
"Therefore, there is nothing wrong in the printing of the Deputy Commissioner’s name in the invitation card of the temple, merely because he does not belong to the same religion," the minister said and asserted that the State Government does not make any distinction of caste, creed or colour.
"The DC has done nothing wrong. He acted in his capacity as the Deputy Commissioner and as per the Muzrai Department’s rules," Jayachandra said.
Right-wing groups in the coastal district have demanded removal Ibrahim’s name from the invitation.
Ibrahim, however, explained that the invitation was brought out by the temple management and his name was mentioned as the administrative head of Muzrai temples in the district.
Meanwhile, senior Congress leader B Janardhana Poojary also defended the deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim.
The Deputy Commissioner’s name has been printed in the invitation card of a temple programme in Puttur, he said, adding: "A B Ibrahim is also god's child. This is a secular state and the DC is the chief of the district Muzrai Department. What is wrong in printing his name in the invitation?"