For 72-year-old Noor Jahan, the last week has been tough. Following a notice from the administration of the historic Chennakeshava temple in Belur, she had to close her shop in the temple premises on March 28. Since then, her family has lost its only source of income.
As activists of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal in Belur urged the temple administration to evict non-Hindu shopkeepers from the temple premises, the administration issued a notice and ensured that the shop was closed.
The issue started with activists of Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal demanding a ban on Muslim shopkeepers during Hindu festivals. The Karnataka Government defended this demand by citing rule 31 (12) of the Religious Endowment Act, 2002. The rule states that shops, buildings, and vacant sites located near temples should not be auctioned to non-Hindus.
