Row over entry of woman into Laxmi Mantapa of Kollur temple
Mangaluru, Oct 18: Even as a row is raging in Kerala over the Sabarimala temple, the entry of a woman into the Kollur Sri Mookambika temple's Laxmi Mantapa, open only for priests, has kicked up a controversy in Karnataka.
Udupi district Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis has asked sub divisional officers to submit a report on the entry of T R Uma, a former executive officer of the temple, into the Laxmi Mantap where only priests are allowed.
Uma reportedly entered the Laxmi Mantap without the knowledge of the current executive officer.
A video clip showing her entering the mantap located outside the sanctum sanctorum has gone viral on the social media Wednesday.
Uma, who had functioned in the past as the executive officer of the temple, was allowed entry into the Laxmi Mantap on the occasion of Navratri festival by some temple staff.
Other staff and devotees objected to the act saying it was not in order.
The current temple administrator H Halappa told reporters that action would be initiated against the temple staff who allowed her to enter the Laxmi Mantap and those who relayed the information to media, he said.
Temple priest K N Narasimha Adiga has also urged the deputy commissioner to take relevant action as the act will hurt the beliefs of hundreds of devotees of the temple.
According to temple management committee president Harish Kumar Shetty, the entry of Uma into the Laxmi Mantap during the 'Suvasini Pooja' of Navaratri is against tradition.
Suitable action will be taken on the matter after eliciting the views of the administrative officer and management committee members, he said.
The row has erupted even as Kerala is being rocked by the lifting of the ban on entry of women in the age group of 10-50.
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Teenager beheaded in 4-decade-old fight over land in UP's Jaunpur; revenue officer suspended
Jaunpur (UP), Oct 30: A 17-year-old boy was beheaded with a sword in a fight over a piece of land in Kabiruddinpur village of this district on Wednesday, police said.
The dispute over the land is 40 years old and the matter is currently in a civil court, according to district administration officials.
While District Magistrate Dinesh Chandra suspended Lekhpal (local revenue officer) Jagdish Yadav, a report has been sent to the administration for action against Revenue Inspector Munni Lal, who oversees the area, the officials said.
Superintendent of Police Ajaypal Sharma said the violence was a consequence of a land dispute between villagers Ramjeet Yadav and Lalta Yadav.
"Ramesh Yadav, son of Lalta Yadav, began clearing grass from the disputed land ahead of Diwali this morning that flared up the tension," he said.
"During the confrontation, Ramesh attacked Anurag Yadav, son of Ramjeet Yadav, with a sword and decapitated him," he added.
Lalta Yadav was arrested after the incident and a hunt is on for his son Ramesh.
Additional police forces have been stationed in the village to prevent any further flare-ups.
An FIR has been registered against six individuals in connection with the case at Gaurabadshahpur police station.
Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav decried the violence and alleged there was no law and order left in the state.
"There is a strange contradictory relationship between today's government and crime. On one hand, both are together, on the other hand, the weaker and more inactive the government is becoming, the more powerful and active the criminals are becoming. Today's UP says we don't want BJP," he said on X.
Additional District Magistrate (ADM) R A Chauhan has been appointed to conduct a magisterial inquiry in the case and submit a report within three days.
In a statement, District Magistrate Chandra condemned the crime as "heinous" and assured strict administrative action against those responsible.
He further said the dispute is 40 years old and is currently under civil court review.
