The vendors claim that they were instructed to obtain stalls in the name of Hindus so that they could conduct their business without any hitch.
Team Clarion
BENGALURU — Muslim vendors have been barred from setting up their stalls at a temple fair in Mangaluru city of Dakshina Kannada district in Karnataka.
Distressed vendors have approached the district administration alleging a Muzrai temple denying permission to them to set up stalls during the annual “Shahsthi Mahotsava” scheduled between December 14 and 19 at the premises of the Kudupu Sri Anantha Padmanabha temple in Mangaluru city.
The temple falls under the Muzrai department of the Karnataka government.
The Dakshina Kannada Zilla Beedi Badi Vyaparasthara Shreyobhivriddhi Sangha, representing the vendors, on Thursday, submitted a memorandum to the deputy commissioner through Additional Deputy Commissioner G. Santhosh Kumar in this regard.
The temple management has already completed the process of the allotment of stalls, the vendors claim. They also alleged that they were instructed to obtain stalls in the name of Hindus so that they could conduct their business without any hitch.
Meanwhile, the Street Vendors Association has expressed discontent over the situation and has asked the government and district administration to look into the matter.
“Muslim traders have not been permitted to do business during the fair,” the association said.
The business community used to have stalls on the public road in front of the temple. However, Muslim vendors have claimed that they have been denied permission to conduct business since last year.
The association has also argued that these religious fairs are a means for poor Muslim traders to earn their livelihood.
“They are now being unjustly denied permission,” the association said.
