Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Mar 24: In connection with objections raised and controversy surrounding the move to print invitations for the annual car festival of Lord Mahalingeshwara temple at Puttur, deputy commissioner(DC) of Dakshina Kannada district, A B Ibrahim, has issued certain clarifications by way of press release dated March 24.
The DC has asserted that the deputy commissioners of the districts head the religious institutions falling under the muzrai department. The very next day of his taking over charge as the DC here, he has said, additional deputy commissioner of the district was handed over power as deputy commissioner for the purpose of the said law. Since then, additional deputy commissioner has been discharging duty as the deputy commissioner under section 7 of Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments Act. As such, he has been discharging duties as president of district religious council, formation of managing committees for different temples, appointing administrative officers to temples wherever necessary, and deciding on hereditary rights. Apart from them, the additional deputy commissioner has also been vested with powers to decide disputes in temples, verifying papers, taking steps to rectify defects found in audit reports, among others.
The DC has clarified that the custom of printing deputy commissioner's name in temple invitation has been in vogue in various temples of the district as well as other districts, and that in respect of Lord Mahalingeshwara temple at Puttur, his name was printed as per protocol.
A writ petition filed in the high court questioning this aspect, which was posted for hearing on March 21 was further posted to March 24 at the request of the petitioner's lawyer.On March 24, the advocate for petitioner through a revised application, sought further time. To clear misconceptions in the minds of the devotees in view of the fact that the car festival is fast approaching, the deputy commissioner has clarified as under:
1. All religious rituals being held at the said temple from April 10 to 20 will be held in the presence and supervision of executive officer of the temple and administrator. Puttur assistant commissioner will also take part to guide the proceedings during the car festival.
2. As additional deputy commissioner has already been posted as deputy commissioner under the above act for Hindu religious institutions, he will be present, provide guidance, and see that the car festival is held smoothly and successfully.
The deputy commissioner, in his capacity as the district magistrate of Dakshina Kannada, has also requested the devotees and members of the public to contribute towards peaceful, grand,and successful celebration of the annual car festival, duly maintaining peace and harmony in the district.