Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Sep 8: The court of Dakshina Kannada district deputy commissioner, which heard the dispute over the management of six Yakshagana Melas being run under Goddess Durgaparameshwari temple at Kateel, has passed an order making it mandatory to hold legal, transparent tender/auction system under the muzrai department to operate these Melas. The court also ordered that the artistes of these Melas have to be extended job protection.

This decision having a far-reaching impact was taken by the district administration based on the high court order and instructions received from the department of Hindu religious endowments and charitable institutions (muzrai). The decision has been forwarded to the government for taking suitable action. The order was passed by immediate past deputy commissioner of the district, Sasikanth Senthil, who sent a report thereof to the commissioner of muzrai department. The said order was made on September 3.

Until now, the Kateel Yakshagana Melas were being operated by certain individuals as per age-old custom. Some persons, aggrieved by this system, had approached the court of the deputy commissioner and high court, questioning the system of operating these Melas. The state high court had, on August 13, instructed the deputy commissioner to hold a trial in the case and submit the report within a month. The commissioner in muzrai department also had asked the deputy commissioner to obey the orders of the high court immediately. In this background, the deputy commissioner completed the work on the case and passed an order on September 3.