After vandalising an elderly Muslim vendor’s watermelon cart in April, right-wing Hindu groups have gone bananas after it came to light that a contract to supply bananas to Ananthapadmanabha temple in Kudupu on the outskirts of Mangaluru city was awarded to a Muslim trader last year.
Last year, the temple authorities had awarded a contract to the lowest bidder to supply bananas for various sevas in the temple on a regular basis needed for a period from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022.
The temple authorities had invited quotations from traders for the supply of bananas, last year. Of the four bidders, the Muslim trader had quoted the lowest price. Hence, he was awarded the contract.
Right-wing Hindu organisations came out in protest after the news of the Muslim vendor supplying bananas to the temple went viral.
The temple executive officer Jagadeesh told the protestors that the issue would be resolved after June 30 when the present contract ends. The protest has subsided for the time being in view of the assurance, temple authorities said.
Several weeks ago, members of Hindutva outfits vandalised the cart of a Muslim watermelon vendor near the Nuggikeri Anjaneya temple in Dharwad. The poor man had been selling melons outside the temple for more then 15 years and faced heavy losses after his fruits were completely destroyed.
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Rabia Shireen is a Staff Reporter at The Cognate.
