Do not grant permission to non-Hindus to set up stalls during temple fairs and festivals

Demand by ‘Karnataka Devasthan-Muth and Dharmik Sanstha Mahasangh’

(2nd from left) Mr Mohan Gowda of ‘Karnataka Devasthan-Muth and Dharmik Sanstha Mahasangh’, advocate Prasanna D P and Mr Raghavendrachar submitting memorandum to District Collector (extreme left)

Bengaluru (Karnataka) – ‘Karnataka Devasthan-Muth and Dharmik Sanstha Mahasangh (Mahasangh)’ submitted a memorandum to the District Collector demanding against granting of permission to non-Hindus and atheists for setting up stalls in the temple premises while meticulously following the ‘Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act, 1997’. The memorandum was submitted by Mr Mohan Gowda, State Convener of ‘Mahasangh’, advocate Prasanna D P, Mr Raghavendrachar, Mr Shyamsundar, Archak S M Bhagwat, Mr Neeleshwar B M of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) and other devout Hindus.

Mr Mohan Gowda said,

1. Religious fairs are held by all temples in March and April. Millions of devotees attend these annual fairs, involving the sale of crores of rupees. It has been observed that non-Hindus and atheists misuse this opportunity and disturb the sanctity of temple through their shops on the premises of temple. It destroys the ‘Sattvik’ atmosphere of temples.

2. Under section 29 (8), (12) of the ‘Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act, 1997’, it has been clearly mentioned that ‘Land and buildings near Hindu temples should not be given to any non-Hindu.’

3. In many Districts including Bengaluru, non-Hindus have grabbed lands of Hindu temples and set up shops, disturbing the sanctity of the temple. None of the officers of the Endowment Department has taken any action to safeguard temple lands; exhibiting their irresponsible and indifferent attitude. At least now, the Department should become alert and get shops of all non-Hindus on temple premises promptly vacated.

4. Permission for temporarily setting up shops should not be granted to non-Hindus. Moreover, a special order should be issued prohibiting non-Hindus who denigrate Hindu beliefs, from setting up shops during annual temple fairs.