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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FIR against 40 social media accounts for spreading anti-national, misleading content; 25 arrested
Lucknow, May 13 (PTI): Uttar Pradesh Police on Tuesday said it has registered FIR against 40 social media accounts and arrested 25 people for spreading anti-national content and misleading posts related to Operation Sindoor.
Acting on the directions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Director General of Police Prashant Kumar instructed officials to identify individuals disseminating false or provocative information online and take strict legal action against them.
A special team under the close supervision of Additional Director General (Law & Order) Amitabh Yash has been conducting round-the-clock monitoring of various social media platforms from the police headquarters' social media centre, it said.
"So far, 40 accounts have been identified and FIRs have been registered against them in respective districts. A total of 25 individuals have been arrested," the statement said.
Efforts are also underway to block all 40 accounts through the cyber crime headquarters, it added.
DGP Kumar appealed to the public not to share any unverified information that could spread panic, mislead citizens, or tarnish the image of the Indian Army.
He urged people to verify any news, images, or videos through the official Uttar Pradesh Police fact-check handle on X.
The police asserted that posting or sharing misleading, false, or anti-national content on social media is a punishable offence, and surveillance of all platforms is being carried out 24x7.
