Bengaluru: The clamour to ban Muslim traders and vendors from carrying out business in the vicinity of temples during Hindu festivals and annual temple fairs has spread to more districts in Karnataka. The demand, which surfaced in Shivamogga and Dakshina Kannada districts, has spread to Bengaluru Urban, Hassan, Tumakuru and Chikkamagaluru districts. It started after the state government cited Rule 12 of the Karnataka Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowment Act 2002 that restricts non-Hindus from doing business near temples.
As applications started pouring in from Hindu organisations, the government empowered tehsildars to decide on banning Muslim traders at fairs and temples. The VHP asked the muzrai department (which manages temples) not to allow Muslim traders at any temple across the state. It also urged district authorities not to allow Muslims to participate in the famous Belur Channakeshava Rathotsava on April 13 and 14, and the Maha Ganapathy fair on April 5. It also urged organisers of the Siddalingeshwara fair at Yediyuru in Tumakuru district from April 1-16 not to allow Muslim traders.
