Karnataka: Udupi Temple Bans Muslim Vendors From Doing Business On Its Premises Over Hijab Row

Udupi district has witnessed massive protests after the Karnataka High Court order upholding the ban of hijab in schools and colleges.

(File Photo/ Getty)

Bengaluru: A temple in Udupi district of Karnataka a state that has been the epicenter of hijab controversy - has banned "people from other faith" to do business on its premises during the annual temple festival.

According to a report by news agency PTI, the Maari Gudi temple management at Kaup town in Udupi took the decision on the request of certain pro-Hindu organisations. 

The matter was even picked up in the state Assembly where the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) sought to distance itself from the issue, citing rules.

Udupi district has witnessed massive protests after the Karnataka High Court order upholding the ban of hijab in schools and colleges.

The rule, however, does not apply to vendors outside the temple premises and the state government has assured strict action against those causing trouble to them. The government also said that it will look into the rules and actual situation on the ground, before taking any further steps.

The decision was taken after outfits such as Hindu Jagarana Vedike and Tulunadu Hindu Sena, Kaup, urged temple management not to permit Muslim traders during the two-day religious fair, held on Tuesday and Wednesday, saying the Muslims had supported a bandh against the Karnataka High Court verdict on the hijab issue.

"The pro-Hindu organisations submitted a memorandum asking us to allow only Hindu traders during the Marigudi festival and not the people from other faith. Accordingly, the temple management has decided not to give land on rent belonging to the temple management to anyone who is not a Hindu. Only Hindus will be given space to do business," PTI quoted an executive officer of the temple as saying.

Meanwhile, Udupi District Street Vendors and Traders Association has urged the district administration to allow Muslim street vendors to carry out business during Hindu festivals and annual temple fairs.

Several banners were placed during the annual Kaup Marigudi festival stating that Muslim vendors should not be allowed entry. Similar banners were also displayed in Padubidri temple festival.

"No Muslim should be given place to put up stalls during the Maari Puja festival. If the Muslims are allowed to put up their stalls, you (temple authorities) alone will be responsible for the problem and the danger. Hence, you should not give place to Muslims to put up stalls," the Hindu Sena said.

"Those who have no respect for our Gods, our religious places and follow a different faith should not do business during our religious festivals. This was the appeal by the Hindu community to the Marigudi temple management," he said.

It all started after a bench of Judges led by Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, on March 15, dismissed petitions by some girls from Udupi who had demanded that hijab should be permitted inside the educational institutions where there is a uniform dress code.

As per court's verdicts, hijab is not an essential religious practice and uniform dress rule should be followed.

Talking to PTI, the All India Co-convener of Bajrang Dal, Suryanarayana Rao clarified the organisation is not against Muslims but only those who oppose the rule of the land and the High Court verdict on hijab.

(With inputs from PTI)