Hijab row: Muslim shopkeepers banned from temple fairs in coastal Karnataka
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Bengaluru: The controversy over hijab in the state has apparently left the religions fault lines even wider.
Adding to it, Muslim shopkeepers have been banned from local annual fairs in the coastal Karnataka, according to Indian Express.
.Organisers of these fairs toe the line from the pressure of Right wing groups to exclude Muslim shops
Muslim shop owners earlier shuttered down protesting against the Karnataka HC's upholding of the ban on hijab in schools.
The temple festivals in the coastal region, usually in April-May, draw crores in revenue. These festivals, nevertheless communal tensions prevailing, never before stripped the community of business prospects.
Things changed after Muslims observed a bandh over HC verdict; following which many temples in the area bar Muslims from festivals, according to the report.
Muslims have been excluded from the auction at Mahalingeshwara Temple festival scheduled on April 20. Organisers said in the invitation that only Hindus are eligible for the auction to be held on March 31.
The report further said that the Hosa Marigudi temple in Kaup in Udupi district also refused Muslim in the auction on March 18.
According to Prakash Kukkehalli, Mangaluru of the Hindu Jagarana Vedike devotees were outraged after Muslims called the bandh.
A hoarding for the Bappanadui Sri Durgapameshwari temple in Dakshina Kannada district said, "We will not allow them to do business. Hindu is aware."
Mangaluru city police commissioner N Shashi Kumar is reportedly looking out for those installed the hoarding, and in the event of a complaint, according to him, they would act after consulting with the legal team.
According to Mohammed Arif, secretary of Udupi District Street Vendors' and Traders' Association it's new a situation. He added that of 700 registered members, 450 are Muslim and business is picking up after covid situation. He said that the temple committees have left them out.Hijab row: Muslim shopkeepers banned from temple fairs in coastal Karnataka
