Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Mar 6: Verbal friction arose between the devotees of Lord Mahalingeshwara temple at Kavoor here, and the police, when police inspector of Kavoor station blocked the programme of recital of Bhajans and Yakshagana programme arranged at Lord Mahalingeshwara temple premises at Kavoor here during late night hours of Monday March 4.
It is customary for ardent Hindus to stay awake during the entire night of Shivaratri and spend the night singing eulogies of the Lord or participate in other devotional programmes hailing Lord Shiva.
Immediately after the information was conveyed to them, MLAs, Dr Bharath Shetty and Vedavyas Kamath, rushed to the spot and succeeded in easing the situation. They not only asked the police not to interrupt the programme, but stayed at the spot till the programme came to an end in the morning hours of Tuesday.
After some local Congress leaders sounded minister, U T Khader, about the incident, he called senior police officials and told them that it was improper on the part of the police to block religious progamme. He instructed the police to allow the programme to continue.
Reacting to the incident, Khader expressed unhappiness at this development and criticized the police for their behaviour. He also asked city police commissioner, Sandeep Patil, to hold an inquiry into the behaviour of Kavoor police inspector relating to this incident and send him report thereof.
An organization in the city, 'Bhramari Yakshamitraru', condemned the police action in interrupting Yakshagana programme and demanded action against those who disrespected art. MP, Nalin Kumar Kateel, warned of launching protest if action is not taken against the police officer who stopped Yakshagana programme in the middle. MLA, Dr Bharath Shetty Y, felt that the police were wrong in interrupting religious pogramme at the temple and criticized them for trying to disrupt peace in the society.
Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal also demanded action against the police. Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader, Sharan Pumpwell, addressing a press meet, said that HIndu sentiments are hurt by the inhuman attitude of the police to a programme that has been held annually since long.
City police commissioner, Sandeep Patil, said that Kavoor police inspector, based on a complaint, had visited the temple on Monday night without informing higher officials. He noted that temple authorities have accused the police officer of misbehaviour. He said that an investigation would be conducted and report would be obtained. He added that the city police respect the traditions and observations of different religions that have been held since long, and pointed out that out of over 70 programmes held in temples within the commissionerate, problem arose only in one temple.