Buckling under pressure from Hindutva groups, the organising committee of the historic Kote Marikamba Jatra in Shivamogga has favoured only Hindu shopkeepers during the five-day festival beginning on March 22.
Leaders of the BJP, Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad demanded that no Muslim be allowed to do business during the festival. This forced the festival committee to allot the tender to a Hindutva group.
Kote Marikamba Jatre, held once in two years, attracts lakhs of people from neighbouring cities and districts. The last time it was held was in February 2020. People from all castes take part in the event. According to the residents, Muslims and Christians also offer harake, an offering to the deity for fulfillment of a wish.
