Hindu activists' protest against Quranic ritual at Karnataka temple ends in clash with police

Bengaluru: Karnataka Police were forced to charge cane on people who gathered under the banner of Bajrang Dal and other Hindu outfits in protest against a longstanding ritual of reciting passages from the Quran at the Chennakeshava temple in Belur, located in the Hassan district, turned violent on Tuesday.

What was said to have provoked the Hindu organisations is that a Muslim youth raised the slogan "Quran Zindabad", and because of this, they called for a bandh in Beluru town. The recitation of Quranic passages is a longstanding ritual associated with the Chennakeshava Rathotsav or chariot festival held at the historical temple.

The Bajrang Dal and Hindu activists questioned the Muslim youth and surrounded him. The situation turned serious when the youth got into an argument with the agitators. Later, he was chased by the protesters. Meanwhile, another group of agitators blocked the road. The police resorted to the lathi charge and quelled the mob. They also took the youth into custody and interrogated him.

Beluru Chennakeshava is a 12th-century Hindu temple. Its architecture is considered a marvel. It was built over three generations and took 103 years to finish. The temple is expected to get a heritage tag from the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

The Hindu activists had submitted a memorandum to the Tehsildar office demanding that the verses of the Quran should not be recited at the Hindu religious fair. They also urged the authorities to release the order in this regard by April 3. The Hindu organisations maintain that the ritual should not be observed and claim it is against the Hindu religion.

The religious fair is scheduled to be held on April 4 and district administration is concerned about the developments taking a communal turn at the time of elections.

Last year, the Quran recitation was carried out during the religious fair, amid opposition from Hindu activists. The 'Rathotsav' ceremony at Belur Chennakeshava temple is performed only for two days. Channakeshava's idol will be embellished with gold guard and diamond jewels gifted by the erstwhile Kings of the Mysuru kingdom. Lakhs of devotees gather during the temple fair.

Hindu organisations had objected to the age-old tradition of reciting the Quran before moving the chariot last year following a series of developments in the state. The administrator of the temple then had written to the Muzrai department seeking clarification over the continuation of the ritual which has been carried over for years symbolising Hindu-Muslim unity.

Rohini Sindhuri, who was the Commissioner of Muzrai Department had given the green signal for the continuation of the ritual.

She had stated that according to Section 58 of the Hindu Religious Act 2002, there should not be any interference in the rituals and traditions of the temple. After the direction, the temple committee decided to carry out the ritual recitation of verses from the Quran last year.

With IANS Input