Prathibha Kulai expresses concern over the use of Bhajana programs for political purposes
Surathkal: Congress spokesperson Prathibha Kulai has raised concerns over the increasing commercialisation of religious Bhajana programs, highlighting their recent use for political purposes. This statement follows a controversial remark made by Panja Subdivision Forest Officer Sanjeev Poojari regarding women from the Billava community, which has caused widespread outrage.
Speaking at a press conference in Surathkal on Saturday, she stated that Sanjeev Poojary, instead of protecting the forest, has targeted girls of a particular community and insulted women as a whole. She mentioned that he claimed to have evidence while justifying his statements. Therefore, she urged the Mangaluru City Police Commissioner to arrest him, conduct a thorough investigation, and present the evidence to the public.
Prathibha Kulai further alleged that in recent times, Bhajana programs, traditionally held in temples and Bhajana mandirs as part of religious devotion, have been misused for political gain. She accused political factions of exploiting underprivileged women for these purposes.
Pratibha Kulai has alleged that recent bhajan programs, which were once held in temples and bhajan mandirs with devotion, are now being politicized, using backward class girls for the purpose. She pointed out that while upper-caste girls are given respectful platforms at events, backward and Dalit girls are made to dance on the streets. Although bhajans are part of Hindu religious culture, dancing to bhajans on the streets is wrong and unrepresentative of Indian culture, she stated.
She questioned the so-called protectors of Hinduism, who claim that "we are all Hindus and united," but fail to seat all castes together and allow them to dine at temples. She also asked why caste is still used to deny temple entry to certain communities, and why the idea of unity is forgotten in such situations. Kulai challenged Hindutva leaders, asking if they would send their own daughters to dance to bhajans on the streets. She urged parents of girls to reflect on this issue.
She further accused political forces of dragging culture and religion onto the streets, stating that earlier they did politics by killing people and that now women and girls are being used as political tools. She demanded that religious leaders, spiritual gurus, and self-proclaimed Hindu leaders clarify whether using girls for street bhajans is justified.
Cabaret dance at Mangaluru Dasara procession
Kulai also condemned the inclusion of a cabaret dance during the Mangaluru Dasara procession, where women performed in inappropriate attire in a program meant to be religious. She expressed anger, stating that such acts humiliate women and dishonour the spirit of the festival. She strongly condemned the act as disrespectful in the presence of the deity.
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2 detained after comment over wedding procession to Dalit house sparks clash in UP's Shahjahanpur
Shahjahanpur (UP) (PTI): Two persons have been detained after a clash broke out allegedly over remarks targeting a Dalit family's wedding procession in Uttar Pradesh's Shahjahanpur district, police said on Saturday.
The incident occurred in Lai Kheda village under Tilhar police station area, where a wedding procession from Bareilly had arrived at a Dalit household on April 20.
According to SP Saurabh Dixit, when the procession was near the house of Rajpal Yadav, he allegedly made a remark saying "Now, Dalits will also take out wedding processions riding a buggy", leading to an argument. Yadav's side allegedly turned aggressive, escalating the conflict further.
Police said a scuffle ensued between the two sides. Upon receiving information, police personnel reached the spot and ensured that the procession was conducted peacefully after the incident.
An FIR was registered on Friday against Rajpal Yadav, Sumit, Amit, Surendra, Avdhesh Yadav and five unidentified persons based on a complaint. Rajpal Yadav and his son Sumit have been taken into custody and are being questioned, Dixit said.
The case has been registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, police said.
Dixit said preliminary findings suggest that Yadav, too, was hosting a function and processions from both sides had arrived around the same time. A dispute may have initially arisen due to a narrow passage and attempts to move the processions quickly.
Police have registered the case under relevant sections of the BNS and initiated further probe, officials said.
