Home Articles Muslim traders banned from fairs around Hindu temples: This is what Karnataka...
KEY STORY
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Despite posters opposing Muslim traders in Hindu religious fairs and loud protests from the Opposition Congress, the Karnataka government said it cannot initiate action against those who have banned them. In Karnataka’s coastal region, the annual temple festivals, usually held in April or May, bring in a vast amount of revenue.
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In the Legislative Council, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister JC Madhuswamy said it is impossible to initiate action against those who have banned traders from other faiths around temples.
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CM Ibrahim, the Congress MLC, has called for action against those who banned Muslim traders. To this, Madhuswamy replied that the government was working in accordance with the law.
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In 2002, a regulation was enacted that permitted temple authorities to award contracts to business persons belonging to the Hindu religion. The minister mentioned the 2002 rule, saying that this government has no role in this matter.
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“While framing rules to Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments act in 2002, Rule 12 states that no property including land, building or site situated near the institution shall be leased to non-Hindus. Citing these rules, posters and banners have been put up,” Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister J C Madhuswamy said.
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“The temple authorities are telling us that they are being questioned for following the rules made by the government for denying contracts for non-Hindus. It is not possible to take action in this regard,” said Madhuswamy.
CONCLUSION
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Rangaswamy, the president of Karnataka State Roadside Vendors Federation, has submitted a memorandum to the government to ensure street vendors are not harmed.
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“Muslim roadside vendors should not be put to inconvenience. There are 2.60 lakh registered roadside vendors in the state. Among them, more than 20 per cent are Muslims,” he said in response to the unofficial ban on Muslim traders.
