Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK/DV)

Mangaluru, Apr 9: MLA Vedavyas Kamath, Mangaluru South urged the government to allow the conducting of the local religious program performed at night in the city with adherence to Covid protocols.

"Last year due to the pandemic, religious programs were not permitted. If the same continues this time around, religious sentiments of people will be hurt," he said.

Vedavyas Kamath (left) Sharan Pumpwell (right)

He urged CM BS Yediyurappa to allow religious programs to be conducted in a modest manner while adhering to Covid protocols.

Exempt scheduled Hindu religious rituals from night curfew: Sharan Pumpwell

After the BJP-led state government issued guidelines for the night curfew which has been imposed in eight districts of the state, Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader (divisional secretary) Sharan Pumpwell said that the state government should exempt Hindu religious rituals like 'Kola', 'Nemostava', 'Yakshagana', and 'Brahmakalashotsava' from the curfew.

Speaking to Daijiworld over the phone Sharan said, "The government should exempt these above-said rituals from night curfew and should permit a minimum number of people to observe the festivals. Let, the government stop the stage programme or the cultural programmes."

"The Vedic programmes or the religious programmes are scheduled as per Panchangam (Hindu calendar). Dates for these are scheduled days ago. Imposing a night curfew all of sudden does not make sense," Sharan said.

In this regard, we will submit a memorandum to the deputy commissioner on Saturday. We have also made our request heard through a press release. Completely stopping rituals is not fair. If the administration does not permit us to observe these rituals or anyone from observing these rituals, we will stand in favour of the organisers. If the district administration or the police stop the festivals we will stand in favour of the organisers. He also said that VHP has spoken to MLAs, submitted a memorandum to the DC and district in-charge minister.