The banner reads: “Muslims do not believe in the law of the land. They are killers of holy cows. They are involved in religious conversions in the name of jihad and they have been insulting Indian culture.”
Team Clarion
BENGALURU – A controversy has erupted as some Hindutva outfits put up a banner near Siddeshwara temple in Vijayapura city, the district headquarters of Bijapur district of Karnataka, prohibiting Muslim traders from conducting business during the coming Hindu festival.
The banners were put up after Sri Ram Sene members recently demanded the temple committee not to allow Muslim traders to do business during the festival, media reports said on Monday.
The banner reads: “Muslims do not believe in the law of the land. They are killers of holy cows. They are involved in religious conversions in the name of jihad and they have been insulting Indian culture. Such people will not be allowed to do any business during Siddehswara Jatra (festival).”
Media reports said Sri Ram Sene members entered into heated arguments with temple committee members when they removed the banner.
Sene local president Neelakanth Kandagal said they are firm on their demand. He said the banner has been put up by a federation of Hindu outfits. “The temple belongs to all Hindus and not just the committee. It should meet our demand,” he added.
Kandagal also slammed BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, who is the president of the temple committee, for not taking any decision on their demand. Kandagal said, “On one hand, he calls himself a Hindu icon and fights for Hindu cause. On the other hand, he does not consider our demand. It shows Yatnal is maintaining a dual stand.”
Sene members have also threatened to launch an agitation against the temple committee if its demands are not met.
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Photo: A banner put up by Hindu outfits outside the Siddeshwara temple in Vijayapura city. – Photo courtesy The Indian Express
