Karnataka Police on Tuesday lathi-charged Bajrang Dal and Hindu activists when their protest against the recital of the Quran at a historical Hindu religious fair turned violent in Beluru town of the district.
The Hindu organizations had given a bandh call in this regard in Beluru town. The situation turned volatile when a Muslim youth raised the “Quran Zindabad” slogan amid the protest.
The Bajrang Dal and Hindu activists questioned the youth and surrounded him. The situation turned serious when the youth got into an argument with the agitators. Later, he was chased by protesters. Meanwhile, another group of agitators blocked the road.
Also Read: Five-day exhibition on Quran and Islamic relics inaugurated at Salar Jung Museum
Taking no chance, the police resorted to the lathi charge and quelled the mob. It also took the youth into custody and interrogated him.
The Hindu activists had submitted a memorandum to the Tehsildar office demanding that the verses of the Quran should not be recited at the Hindu religious fair. They also urged the authorities to release the order in this regard by April 3.
Hindu activists have opposed the ritual of reciting the Quran during the historical Chennakeshava Rathotsava in Beluru town. The Hindu organizations maintain that the ritual should not be observed as it is against the Hindu religion.
The historical religious fair is scheduled to be held on April 4 and district administration is concerned about the developments taking a communal turn at the time of elections.
Beluru Chennakeshava is a 12th-century Hindu temple. Its architecture is considered a marvel. It was built over three generations and took 103 years to finish. The temple is expected to get a heritage tag from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Last year, amid opposition from Hindu activists, the Quran recitation was carried out during the religious fair. However, Hindu activists are claiming that the ritual of Quran recitation before the Hindu God was forcefully added in 1932.
Dr. Ramesh, a doctor, and author, has released a book in this regard and explained how it is unnecessary to carry out a Quran recitation before the Hindu God Sri Channakeshava.
The Hindu activists are questioning whether is it possible to recite Hindu prayers at mosques and dargahs. They claimed that the ritual was forced upon Hindus as a part of appeasement politics.
The ‘Rathotsav’ ceremony at Belur Chennakeshava temple is performed only for two days. Channakeshava’s idol will be embellished with gold guard and diamond jewels gifted by the erstwhile Kings of the Mysuru kingdom. Lakhs of devotees gather during the temple fair.
Hindu organizations had objected to the age-old tradition of reciting the Quran before moving the chariot last year following a series of developments in the state.
The administrator of the temple then had written to the Muzrai department seeking clarification over the continuation of the ritual which has been carried over for years symbolizing Hindu-Muslim unity.
Rohini Sindhuri, who was the Commissioner of the Muzrai Department had given the green signal for the continuation of the ritual. She stated that according to Section 58 of the Hindu Religious Act 2002, there should not be any interference in the rituals and traditions of the temple. After the direction, the temple committee decided to carry out the ritual recitation of verses from the Quran last year.
(This story has been sourced from a third-party syndicated feed, agencies. Raavi Media accepts no responsibility or liability for the dependability, trustworthiness, reliability, and data of the text. Raavi Media management/ythisnews.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content at its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.)
