VHP, Bajrang Dal to oppose trivialisation of daivaradhana tradition

MANGALURU: After the mega success of the Kannada movie Rishab Shetty’s Kantara, ‘daivaradhana’ became a part of other movies, television serials and other events, causing outrage among the daivaradhakas who opposed any such trivialisation.

Now, Hindu groups like the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Bajrang Dal have also joined the fray and warned against any sort of disrespect to the tradition.

Daivaradhana has a special significance in the coastal region and was limited to these parts. However, after the success of Kantara, it gained popularity with some even abusing the tradition for social media reels, in movies, TV serials, plays and other events.

Despite pleas by the daivaradhakas, nothing changed. They had even presented a memorandum to the police commisioner and the district deputy commissioner after scenes of daivaradhana were shown on a television serial.

The VHP and Bajrang Dal have warned that they will gherao places wherever daivaradhana is performed for other purposes. If it is shown in movies, the agitation will be intensified, VHP leader Sharan Pumpwell noted. “We are warning Rishab Shetty too”, he added.