Mulki: No entry to Muslim vendors to Bappanadu Temple ‘Jatra’ again
Mangaluru: The Bappanadu Shri Durgaparameshwari Temple of Mulki, which remained a major symbol of religious harmony in the region for more than eight centuries, is facing communal problems during the festivities this year too.
Muslim vendors have been denied entry to the temple premises this year too, during the annual fair (Jatra) at the Temple.
The festival commenced with a flag-hoisting ceremony at the Bappanadu Temple on Wednesday, April 5.
On Tuesday, April 4, Muslim vendors arrived at the Temple to set up shop for the upcoming fair. They have, however, complained that they were denied permission to do so.
It is learned that a meeting was earlier held at the Temple regarding the jatra. Some members of the Bappanadu Temple administrative board, who are also members of the Sangh Parivar, put forth a request during the meeting to not permit non-Hindu vendors at the Temple.
They are learned to have made the request saying that, as per the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Act 2002, people of other religions may not run a business on the premises of a temple. In adherence to the rules given, Muslim vendors have been denied permission to set up shop on the temple premises during the entire period of festivities.
Other citizens, however, have expressed unhappiness over such changes in the temple convention.
Muslims had been selling flowers and toys during the Temple festivities for several decades, but the last two years, they are being denied permission to set up shop on the occasion.
Hereditary head of the Temple Dugadagganna Sawant, who spoke to Varthabharati, said that no vendor is permitted this year to set up stall on the temple premises. All the stores will be set up on land owned by private parties, he added.
“The Temple is under the administration of the Muzrai Department, because of which, the concerned authorities at the assistant commissioner’s officers were also informed of the matter. We have been instructed not to let non-Hindus conduct any sort of business on the Temple land. Since the Temple is under the Muzrai Department, we are helpless in the matter,” he clarified.
The Bappanadu Temple in Mulki is known for its 800-year-old legend of the goddess Shri Durgaparameshwari appearing in the dream of a Muslim businessman Bappa Beary asking him to build the Temple.
As Beary followed the orders of the goddess and got the Temple built in Bappanadu, the Temple convention continued for centuries to hand the Prasad (prayer offerings) to the members of Bappa Beary’s family before hoisting the temple flag to inaugurate the festivities.
It has, therefore, pained the people of the region that the age-old convention symbolizing the religious harmony of the Udupi-Dakshina Kannada region was ‘sacrificed’ at the ‘altar of communalism’.
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NGT pulls up officials over illegal quarrying near Navi Mumbai cancer hospital
Thane (PTI): The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken a stern view of the "illegal" quarrying operations behind Tata Cancer Hospital in Navi Mumbai, warning top officials of coercive action for failing to respond to environmental concerns.
The western zone bench, comprising Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh and expert member Dr Sujit Kumar Bajpayee, was hearing petitions filed by an activist and another taken up suo motu following a news report.
The tribunal, in its order dated December 5, noted that it had directed the Raigad district collector and the Directorate of Geology and Mines to submit their reply affidavits, but the same had not been filed.
"We have no option but to direct the registrar of this tribunal to address a letter to the learned Chief Secretary of the State of Maharashtra, requesting him that a direction from his side be issued to the District Collector, Raigad and Director of Geology and Mining to appear before us positively on the next date," the bench said.
The RTI findings suggest that illegal quarrying activity was being carried out behind the premier cancer hospital, posing a health and environmental risk.
The NGT warned that it would be "compelled to order personal appearance of the officers concerned" if they continue to ignore judicial directives.
The Chief Secretary has now been tasked with ensuring the collector and mining officials file their replies by the next hearing on February 12, 2026.
