Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (MS/HB)
Udupi, Mar 21: Mohammed Arif, secretary of Udupi District Street Vendors’ and Traders’ Association urged that the Muslim street vendors be allowed to carry out business during Hindu festivals and Hindu temple fairs.
Speaking at the Press Club in city, Arif said, “During Kaup Marigudi festival banners were put that Muslim vendors should not be allowed. Now the same is being displayed in Padubidri temple festival also. We do not know what is our sin. So far all Hindu and Muslim vendors were doing business like brothers."
“Earlier Muslim street vendors used to do business in festivals of all temples. First restriction on Muslim vendors was placed at the festival of Odabhandeshwara temple. Now Muslim vendors are not being allowed to open shops in the mela of Perdoor, Pernankila and Padubidri temples also," he lamented.
“Some organizations are behind this. We will never indulge in hurting the sentiments of our Hindu brethren. If the temple administration calls us for discussion, we are ready," he said.
“Due to Covid, temple festivals were not taking place. Only now some improvement is there. Now for some reason we are being prevented from doing business. We request the temple administrative committees to allow us to do business like before.”
Vice president Mohammed Ibrahim, Yasin Kemmannu and Hameed Nejar were present.