Muslim youths enter Hindu temple near Virajpet village and offer chadar and prayers, Hindu groups demand arrest

MADIKERI: In an otherwise peaceful Kodagu district, which is known to be communally sensitive, an act by some miscreants inside a temple premises on Gadde Betta near Maldare-Mattur has hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus and has drawn the ire of Hindu organisations.

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. A group of Muslim youths came in a car and not only illegally entered the Siddeshwara Temple premises on the hill, which falls under the Forest Department’s jurisdiction, but also performed ‘Chadar Chadhana’ and prayed behind the temple.

‘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.

As soon as these photos went viral, locals expressed outrage. Since the temple falls under the Forest Department’s jurisdiction, public entry is restricted. While the Forest Department used to question locals when they came to the temple, this time, Muslim youths committed the act without being questioned. This led to a verbal altercation between the Forest Department and locals, and locals expressed anger against the Forest Department.

Hindu organisations are furious over the act by the Muslim youths inside the temple premises and have expressed outrage. Workers from the Hindu Suraksha Samiti visited the temple and dug up the grave-like structure built near the temple. They also expressed anger against the Forest Department and the police. Additionally, Hindu workers and locals who gathered near the temple staged a protest and demanded action against the guilty. They have also warned that if appropriate action is not taken against the accused, they will stage a road blockade.

A tense atmosphere prevailed at the spot. Additional police deployment has been made and police have taken precautionary measures to prevent any untoward incidents. Since this currently falls under the Forest Department’s jurisdiction, it remains to be seen what action will be taken.