Pics: Joshwa D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, Mar 28: In the wake of the controversy over the inclusion of deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim's name in the invitation of Puttur Shree Mahalingeshwara Temple's car festival, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Monday March 28 said that it strongly condemns the 'interference' of non-Hindus in temple affairs and that the VHP does not need lessons on tolerance from the DC.
Addressing a press meet here, VHP working president M B Puranik said, "VHP condemns the interference of non-Hindus in temple administration. The inclusion of DC Ibrahim's name in the Puttur temple invitation has hurt the sentiments of Hindus. It is ironic that a person who has no belief in Hindu religion is inviting Hindus to take part in the festival. This is also a violation of the section 7 of the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act, 1997."
Responding to DC Ibrahim's statement that the controversy over his name in the invitation had risen out of 'intolerance', Puranik said, "The DC need not teach us what is tolerance and intolerance. We don't need lessons from him on this."
He however clarified, "We have nothing personal against the DC. All we are saying is inclusion of his name in the temple invitation is a violation of the law. The rituals should be performed by Hindus only."
He further said, "As per the guidelines, if the DC is a non-Hindu, the administration of the temple should be taken up by the assistant commissioner or some other officer who is Hindu. DC Ibrahim has violated the law. He says everything has been done according to protocol, but this is not protocol. His statement is misleading the people.
"According to the protocal, names of only political representatives names can be mentioned. This programme is not a government programme but by the Hindu community. There is no organizing committee nor any festival committee either.
"Tomorrow (Tuesday March 29), all Hindus and devotees of the Puttur temple will hold mass prayers in front of the temple at 10 am. There will be bhajan programme also. The devotees are demanding that DC's name should be withdrawn fom the invitation and that it should be reprinted. VHP fully supports their demand," he added.
"The VHP cannot tolerate attempts to divide Hindutva. We condemn the government's move to appoint five non-Hindus in the muzrai department. Parties should not politicize this issue as it concerns the sentiments of Hindus. There is no communal intention behind this," he stressed, adding, "When we protest such violation, VHP is branded as 'communal' out of vested political interests."
When pointed out that DC Ibrahim's name had been included in the invitation of Kukke Subramanya Temple programme also, he said, "We came to know that only a day prior to the event. It was a violation and cannot be allowed again."
Sharan Pumpwell, Sanjeeva Matandoor and others were present.