Facing strong opposition from Hindutva groups, the organising committee of the Kote Marikamba Jatra in Shivamogga has forced the Muslims from setting up stalls in the five-day festival that begins on March 22.
The committee resorted to such steps after the leaders from BJP, BJD, and Vishwa Hindu Parishad demanded no Muslim stalls at the festival.
While it is the first time that such an incident has happened, it is also said that the festival, which occurs once in two years, sees people from all religions.
Muslims and Christians also offer huarache, an offering to the deity for fulfilment of a wish, The Hindu reported.
Further, the report by The Hindu said that the committee had allotted the tender of managing shops and collecting fees from each shopkeeper to Chikkanna. He had deposited ₹9.1 lakh. As had been the practice all these years, he had allotted shops to Muslim traders too. But, when they went to put up stalls on March 17, a few Hindutva activists picked up an argument and asked them not to set up shops at the gate (fair).
However, Chikkanna, who was not happy with the decision, cancelled his tender and demanded money from the committee.
“On March 19, the committee held a meeting with representatives of Hindutva groups. It was resolved to give the tender to Hindutva groups for allotment of shops as per their wish”, The Hindu reported.
The national daily also quotes, S.K. Mariyappa, president of the committee, as saying, “The committee had never taken a stand against any particular religion all these years. But, some people launched a campaign on social media platforms against allowing Muslim shopkeepers. Only three days are left for the festival to start. We agreed to their demand in the interest of smooth conduct of the festival, which attracts thousands of people”.
A similar decision was taken by the Hosa Marigudi temple in Kaup. The committee decided to allow only Hindu stalls during the annual event — Suggi Mari Pooje.
