The dry months ahead of the monsoons mark the season of temple fairs and chariot festivals in Karnataka, attracting huge crowds that offer an opportunity for small traders, cutting across caste and community lines. However, this year, Hindutva groups have lent a communal colour to the festivities by forcing the local administration and temple committees to bar Muslim shopkeepers from putting up stalls at these events.
During the Kote Marikamba Jatre in Shivamogga in southern Karnataka, which began on March 22, leaders of Vishwa Hindu Parishat (VHP) and Bajrang Dal succeeded in ensuring that Muslims did not put up shops. Every year, a number of Muslims would not only do small trade but also offer harake (fulfilment of a vow) to the deity. This year, Hindutva leaders allegedly threatened the person who had been awarded the tender to manage stalls, demanding that Muslims should not be allowed to set up stalls. Given the coercion, the person eventually gave up the tender and the festival organizing committee handed over the responsibility to the VHP and Bajrang Dal leaders themselves.
On similar lines, the managing committee of Hosa Marigudi Temple at Kaup in Udupi district too did not allow Muslim traders to put up stalls during the annual “Suggi Mari Pooje” from March 22.
