Dakshina Kannada committee urges access for Muslim traders on temple premises

Mangaluru: The Dakshina Kannada and Udupi Districts Religious Fair Businessmen’s Coordination Committee has raised its voice against the exclusion of Muslim traders from participating in the upcoming Navaratri fair at the historic Mangaladevi Temple in Mangaluru city, Dakshina Kannada district.

The committee lodged a formal complaint on Thursday with the District Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada, condemning the ban on Muslim traders and demanding that they be allowed to carry on their trade on the temple premises.

The Mangaladevi Temple, overseen by the Muzarai department of the government, is gearing up for the Navaratri fair scheduled to take place from October 15 to October 24.

The temple management's decision to restrict Muslim traders from participating in the fair has sparked a heated debate, especially in the wake of the recent hijab controversy. Hindu organizations had called for a boycott following protests by Muslim bodies against the court order prohibiting the hijab in classrooms.

This issue dates back to the previous BJP government, which upheld the temple management's right to exclude Muslim traders from religious fairs and temple premises. However, with the Congress government now in power, the dynamics surrounding this contentious matter are likely to shift.

The committee's complaint has added fuel to the ongoing debate, forcing authorities to confront the question of religious tolerance and fair participation. As the Navaratri fair approaches, all eyes are on how the newly formed government will handle this sensitive situation and whether it will endorse a more inclusive approach towards traders of all communities.