Bengaluru: The trend of barring Muslim vendors during the temple festivals is spreading to other parts of Karnataka, while two BJP legislators have reportedly come out lambasting the unprecedented restrictions on Muslim traders in temples.
Some temples in Udupi and Shivamogga announced the banning of Muslim traders inside the Temple premises during festivals, coming to the pressure from right wing groups.
While reports suggest that other temples in the state are also planning restrictions on Muslim traders, A H Vishwanath, an MLC, and Anil Benake, an MLA, called out the ban, terming it "wrong", "undemocratic" and "madness", according to The Indian Express report.
Right wing groups like VHP, Hindu Jagarana Vedike, Bajrang Dal and Sree Rama Sene have insisted that the temples shall not entertain Muslim traders during festivals. The state BJP government also backed the decision, blaming the previous Congress government, citing curbs based on a rule introduced in 2002.
Vishwanath, an MLC from Mysuru, termed the restrictions undemocratic, saying that since no god or religion preaches divisions among humans which otherwise preaches inclusivity, such restrictions are nothing but madness.
He also lamented the state government's silence over the matter, calling upon the government to step in to allay the situation.
Pointing at the Indian Hindus working in other countries, including the Muslim countries, he wondered what will be the end result if other countries decide to act against the Hindus working there.
Vishwanath also urged to ponder over the Muslims who choose to live in India, wished to remain as Indians, and rejected Jinnah's Pakistan.
Vishwanath is a former Congress minister and ex-state president of JD(S) and is also known as a Kannada writer and novelist.
Benake, the MLA from Muslim-dominated Belagavi North constituency, said he was not in favour of the restrictions on Muslim traders.
"There is no question of imposing restrictions during temple festivals. If people impose restrictions, there is nothing that we can do. We will, however, not allow these things to happen. It is wrong to say that people should purchase only in some stores and not in other stores. Under the Constitution, everybody has equal rights. Anybody can conduct business anywhere and people must decide where they want to buy from, that is all. We will not impose restrictions," The Indian Express quoted him as saying.