Former history-sheeter appointed president of Kukke Subrahmanya temple administration, locals approach HC

MANGALURU: Despite stiff opposition from locals, former history-sheeter Harish Gowda Injawadi was appointed as president of the famous Kukke Subrahmanya temple administration committee based on the recommendation of district in-charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao and MLC Manjunath Bhandari. Some locals have now approached the High Court of Karnataka questioning the appointment.

Harish Injadi is a Congress leader and former gram panchayat member. As per the rules, no person who acts against the interests of the temple administration can be elected as member. But Harish had cheated the temple management by giving a dud cheque for a coconut tender and had been jailed.

Locals had even written to Endowment Minister Ramalinga Reddy opposing Harish’s appointment to the temple board, pointing out to his alleged involvement in sand and timber smuggling. They have also approached the high court alleging pressure from the minister to appoint an ineligible person to the temple committee and sought action against the officials.

Meanwhile, Harish has claimed that there were no pending cases against him and that he had not acted against the temple’s interests. The issue has now taken a political twist with the BJP launching a ‘Rowdy Bhagyaa’ social media campaign against the Congress over Harish’s appointment.