Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)
Mangaluru, Oct 26: Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) which jointly held a press conference with BJP, Bajrang Dal and ABVP on city here on Wednesday October 26, objected to the Deepavali festival celebration at Kadri Manjunatha Temple premises which MLC Ivan D’Souza has organised.
VHP district president Jagadish Shenava said “Ivan cannot participate in this programme as a Christian. If he wants to participate, he should convert and become a Hindu. We are idol worshippers which Muslims and Christians oppose. As such, no person who is not a Hindu can come and hold such a programme inside the temple premises. Let him hold the programme inside the Church premises or wherever he wants to, other than temple.“
MLC and Vidhana parishad chief whip, Ivan D'Souza on October 23 had said that he will attend the Deepavali festival along with people of various faith, on Kadri Manjunatha Temple premises, on Saturday, October 29.
Ivan had also revealed that district in-charge minister B Ramanath Rai will inaugurate this occasion by distributing 5 kg rice bags to people. On this occasion, 1000 rice bags and 400 free spectacles will be handed out to the poor, Ivan had said while giving details of the programme.
Before Shenava spoke, M B Puranik the state president of VHP said “We do not have any problem with the proposed programme. But a Christian person holding the programme inside the temple premises is objectionable. State High Court in its recent order relating Mahalingeshwara temple in Puttur, had said that then deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim’s name should be taken out from the invitation, him being a Muslim. So a Christian cannot hold such a programme here. If Ramanatha Rai holds this programme being a Hindu, we do not mind. Ivan himself holding such a programme outside the temple premises is also not a problem for us. But he as a Christian should refrain from holding the proposed programme. “
“Government, departments, ministries can claim that they are custodians of temples. But they are not owners of temples. Only Lord is the owner of the temple. This government and its leaders have become notorious for creating problems in society. We have already submitted petitions to deputy commissioner and police commissioner, not to allow Ivan D’Souza to hold the proposed programme. We will not allow it to happen.” Puranik added.
“People with political motives, should not hold functions in the name of communal harmony. Such thing has never happened at Kadri temple and now Ivan wants to start it. We are not against communal harmony. We appreciate RSS going to Infant Jesus Shrine and Infant Jesus priests going to Sangh Niketana. These things are done with mutual respect and with invitation. Ivan has not been invited to hold such programme. Why he should distribute rice and other items?“ Puranik questioned.
Sharan Pumpwell, Harish Poonja, Gopal Kuthar, Bhujanga Kulal were present in the press meet among others.
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