Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, May 8: Temples and mosques across Karnataka have held or been directed to hold special prayers for the success of ‘Operation Sindoor’, a military operation reportedly launched to retaliate against terrorist camps following the Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 tourists.
The initiative, led by the Congress-led state government, has seen participation from religious institutions and political leaders, with prayers held for the strength and safety of India’s armed forces.
On Thursday morning, over 34,000 temples under the Muzrai Department conducted special poojas at the behest of Minister for Transport and Muzrai, Ramalinga Reddy, who issued directives to all state-run temples.
The worship, dedicated to the Indian armed forces, included ‘Sankalpa pooja’ and, in some temples in North Karnataka, the offering of a ‘mangalasutra’ before the deity – symbolising commitment and protection.
Temples such as Gavi Gangadhareshwara and Banashankari Temple in Bengaluru held dedicated prayer sessions between 8:30 am–9 am and 10:30 am–11 am respectively. Minister Ramalinga Reddy stated: “Special prayers must be held in all temples under the Muzrai Department in the name of our soldiers, praying for their strength and well-being. The directives must be strictly followed.”
The Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowment Department issued a formal circular underscoring the aim: “The Indian armed forces have successfully carried out attacks on terrorist camps under the name ‘Operation Sindoor’ to avenge the Pahalgam terror attack.”
In parallel, the Waqf and Minority Welfare Department, led by minister B Z Zameer Ahmad Khan, has ordered special Friday prayers (Jumma namaz) across mosques affiliated with the Karnataka State Waqf Board. The directive, issued on Thursday, calls for prayers to “strengthen the morale” of soldiers actively engaged in the operation.
Minister Zameer stated in the circular: “To strengthen the morale of our soldiers who are eliminating terrorists and working to restore peace in the country, it is directed that special prayers be offered in all mosques affiliated with the Waqf Board, as well as in other mosques.”
Earlier, a video of minister Zameer Khan had gone viral, in which he made a dramatic declaration, saying he was willing to become a “suicide bomber for India” and “walk into Pakistan with explosives to wage war”.
Meanwhile, BJP state president B Y Vijayendra, along with Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy and a large number of party workers, visited the Lakshmi Narasimha Temple in Bengaluru to offer prayers for the armed forces. Vijayendra said: “Operation Sindoor was launched due to the strong decision taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to eliminate terrorists and destroy their hideouts and shelters. We have prayed for Bharat’s success in the battle against terrorism.”
He added: “The world is watching India. Terrorism is not limited to us — countries across the globe are suffering due to it. We have prayed for an end to terrorism.”
He further directed BJP workers across district, mandal, and taluk levels to organise special prayers for the armed forces on Thursday and Friday. When asked about potential retaliation, Vijayendra asserted: “Let Pakistan launch any attack; the Indian armed forces have the capacity to face it.”
The coordinated religious outreach comes amid heightened nationalistic sentiment and a growing political consensus in Karnataka across party lines in support of India’s armed forces.