Daijiworld Media Network - Madikeri (SP)

Madikeri, Feb 24: The journalists who went to have the darshan of Lord Bhagandeshwara in Bhagamandala in the district on Shivaratri day, Monday February 23, had the bitter experience of being at the receiving end of the ire of the temple security staff. The journalists, who went to have food after paying obeisance to the Lord, were hit with canes by the security personnel.

From among the journalists who took part in the state level journalists’ convention held at Madikeri, about 200 stayed back to visit Bhagamandala and pray to Lord Bhagandeshwara temple on Shivaratri day. The Temple Governing Council led by the district deputy commissioner had arranged for food for the journalists at the temple, but separate arrangements had not been made.

As there was long queue, the journalists who were in a hurry to return to their respective places, requested the concerned to serve them food immediately. Reportedly, as the journalist rushed to the dining hall, one of the servers hurled choicest abuses against them, giving rise to verbal friction.  As the office bearers of Kodagu District Journalists Union intervened to cool the rising tempers, security personnel of the temple who arrived on the spot, suddenly started hitting the journalsits with canes without any provocation. In the melee, Basavaraj Ayatti, Savadatti reporter of 'Sanjevani' and Shivappa Gurubasava Swami, Ramadrug reporter of 'Karnataka Times' were injured. They were treated in the local hospital as out patients.

Basavaraj Ayatti filed a complaint with the Madikeri deputy superintenent of police(DySP) J D Prakash, seeking action against the erring security men. The journalists have also offered to provide photographs and video clippings of the incident in support of their complaint and the DySP assured to take action on their basis.

Karnataka State Working Journalists Association has strongly condemned the high-handed behaviour of the temple security men, and its president H S Sudhindra Kumar said, that a complaint with will be filed with the state muzrai minister, seeking action against the concerned.

Kodagu District Journalists Union president Chi Na Somesh, Kodagu Press Club president H T Anil and Suntikoppa Press Club office bearers have issued separate statements, condemning the incident.