DHARWAD: While several organisations besides Congress and JD(S) staged protests condemning the vandalisation of a fruit stall run by a Muslim vendor on the premises of Nuggikeri Hanuman temple near Dharwad, Aravind Bellad, Hubballi-Dharwad (West) MLA, suggested it was “reaction” to the bandh Muslims traders had observed following the high court’s verdict on hijab.
In comments that were diametrically opposed to the conciliatory tone chief minister Basavaraj Bommai and others including law minister JC Madhuswamy have adopted to recent communal incidents, Bellad said that while perpetrators deserve to be punished, it “was a reaction by Hindu outfits to certain actions by Muslims”.
Bellad claimed Muslims did not respect the Karnataka high court’s verdict on the hijab controversy and community leaders had asked members to observe a bandh to protest the judgment. “This has not gone down well with non-Muslims because they felt Muslims were not respecting court orders,” Bellad said. “Hindus, in retaliation, are reacting in different ways.
The Nuggikeri incident is a reaction. Community leaders should ensure actions by Muslims do not violate laws of land.” Bellad said he was not justifying the violence and wasn’t against Muslims traders doing business on temple premises. “But Muslims running businesses on temple premises could provoke devotees,” he said.
“To avoid such incidents, Muslim leaders should think of remedial measures and guide community members.”
Protests galore
Meanwhile, several organisations condemned the violence and submitted memorandums to the district administration and Hubballi Dharwad police commissioner Labhu Ram, Senior Congress leader and former minister AM Hindesgeri together with party workers on Monday visited the temple, offered special prayers, and spoke to members of the temple management.
Narasimha Desai, temple trustee, said the temple has granted permission for people from all communities to conduct business on the premises and the basic objective is for all to “live like brothers”. “The temple trust will take a final call on future measures,” he said. Members of Anjuman-EIslam Society, in a memorandum to the district deputy commissioner, said that the incident has created fear among Muslim traders.
“Hindu fringe elements should not be allowed to take law into their hands and spread hate,” it said Ismail Tamatgar, former president of Anjuman-E-Islam, said: “This is a historic temple, and lakhs of devotees visit. Such incidents spoil the peace and communal harmony. The time is ripe for everyone to spread the message of brotherhood and ensure peace and tranquillity.”
Four arrested
Based on a complaint from Nabisab, the vendor, Dharwad Rural police registered an FIR against eight people on charges that included deliberately hurting religious sentiments and deliberate attempt to breach the peace. On Sunday, police arrested four people — Mailarappa Guddappanavar (27), Mahaling Aigali (26), Chidanand Kalal (25) and Kumar Kattimani (26) — are all residents of Dharwad. The four are reportedly members of the Pramod Muthalik-led Sri Ram Sene, a right-wing fringe pro-Hindu outfit.
