8 in custody for digging grave, offering chadar at Siddeshwara temple in Virajpet taluk

MADIKERI: The Siddapura police have taken eight people from Periyapatna taluk into custody for digging a grave, offering chadar and prayers at the Siddeshwara Temple on Gadde Betta near Maldare-Mattur. The police have also seized two vehicles that the accused used to travel to the temple.

A case was registered against them following allegation of constructing a grave inside the temple premises located in the reserved forest based on a complaint from Hindu organisations. Further investigation is continuing under the guidance of SP Bindumani.

The Forest department has also filed a separate case regarding illegal entry and has installed CCTV cameras on the road leading to the temple. The Department personnel have been deployed for day and night patrolling.

A group of Muslim youths illegally entered into a temple on Sunday and performed the Muslim tradition of ‘Chadar Chadhana’ ceremony inside the temple premises. Objectionable writing was also found on Forest Department signboards. Hindu organisations have expressed outrage, condemning the incident, and have demanded arrest of the accused.

The incident took place in the premises of the Siddeshwara Temple on Gadde Betta near Maldare-Mattur in Virajpet taluk, Kodagu district. Chadar Chadhana means offering a large piece of cloth and flowers on a grave and praying. The group of youth created a structure resembling a grave near the temple, placed flowers on it, and prayed.