Why Muslim vendors are being banned from Karnataka temple fairs

Sunday, 3 April 2022Newsdesk

A call by right-wing groups such as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Bajrang Dal, and Sree Rama Sene to restrict Muslim vendors from putting up stalls during temple fairs held in villages across Karnataka has resulted in restrictions being imposed in some temples in a few communally-sensitive regions like Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Shivamogga over the past fortnight.

New Delhi, 03 April 2022

As per news report of The Indian Express, The move has resulted in widespread controversy on account of its potential to impact the social fabric of life and business at the village level in the state through communal exclusion. The BJP government in Karnataka has justified the restrictions on Muslim traders at temple fairs by stating that non-Hindus are barred from having stores in temple premises as per a rule issued in 2002 under the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act, 1997. The temple fairs that are at the centre of the controversy incidentally represent the culture and traditions of specific areas where the festivals are held and are usually celebrated by people cutting across castes and religions.

Source - The Indian Express