Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje

Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (SP)

Bantwal, Oct 7: Shilanjana temple attached to Balekody Math in Kanyana village of this taluk is the only Math of Dalits in Dakshina Kannada district. The Math is located on the border of Karnataka with Kerala. The Math as well as its devotees and the locals are now up in arms against the permission given by the government to open liquor shop by the side of the Math.

Dalit community from the district has been running this math and it has always regarded the Swamiji of this Math as their spiritual guide. Allegedly, permission has been given to open a liquor shop by the side of this Math by the local gram panchayat, district administration and the excise department with the specific aim of fiddling with the sanctity of the Math. It is being said that permission was granted, disregarding stiff resistance from head of the Math, Sri Shashikant Mani Swamiji, and the Math devotees.

When Raveendra from Mangaluru applied to set up bar in a private land near the Math in July this year, locals and Math followers had raised objections. As 20 Congress panchayat members passed a resolution in favour of granting licence for the bar, Raveendra is going ahead with his plan to set up bar. The Math devotees and Dalit readers have warned of their resolve not to allow the bar to function here.

Kanyana is a place which is known for being communally sensitive and hub of criminal activities. Most of the residents here are Dalits, and the Math has brought revolutionary changes in the people. Therefore, people from all faiths and castes keep visiting the Math for guidance. A local gram panchayat member who worked earlier as priest in the temple had falsely spread the word that the Math was in support of the bar as a result of which he has been shown the door.

Dalit organizations from the district are supporting the Math, and the taluk panchayat has now passed stay order against the bar licence after complaint was made to district administration. Still, the owner of the bar has made elaborate preparations and the bar is set for Saturday opening. Gram panchayat development officer says resolution was passed in favour of opening of the bar as there was no opposition.

It is learnt that as per rules, bars cannot be opened within 100 metres of religious places. This rule has been clearly violated in the case of the proposed bar here. Political influence appears to have played a role here. As the devotees of the Math are determined against allowing the bar to function, there is uncertainty over the issue as of now.