Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Apr 18: State muzrai, backward classes welfare and Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister, Kota Srinivas Poojary, has written to chief minister B S Yediyurappa, seeking to slacken rules governing the ban imposed on religious programmes. He pointed out that religious programmes and puja processes have been hit hard because of the ban, and sought to make some concessions in rules.

He noted that as per the new circular of the government, other meetings and functions are allowed to be held on a reduced scale, duly making Covid rules mandatory for all the programmes, but religious programmes have been banned totally.

"While this measure is welcome, the ban imposed on the religious sector has been creating impediments in organizing the religious activities not only in the coastal districts but also other places. Advance preparations for Yakshagana performances meant to meet the religious vows undertaken by devotees, Nemotsavass, consecration of the idols, Brahmakalashotsava etc have been arranged by temples and other bodies and the new rules have hit them like a bolt from the blue, as they are barred from holding the programmes altogether, not even on a symbolic scale," he said.

"Therefore, I request the chief minister to extend the concessions allowed to other programmes to religious activities too and thereby address the problems devotees are encountering," he has pleaded in his letter.

The state government on Saturday April 17 banned all religious programmes in the wake of spike in coronavirus cases and imposed restrictions on other private and public celebrations. 

Religious programmes banned in Mangaluru city

The officials of the city corporation of Mangaluru, taking into serious consideration the increase in the Covid cases witnessed in the city, have withdrawn the permissions already given by the city corporation officials for holding religious programmes within the city with immediate effect.

As per the order of the government, under the Disaster Mangament Act, restrictions have been brought into force for participation in public functions, and entertainment programmes in the state. In addition to making it mandatory to wear masks and maintain social distance, people have been barred from spitting in public places. Those engaged in online food delivery service, staff of hotels, bars and restaurants, as well as staff and bus drivers working in supermarkets, malls and other places, conductor,s auto rickshaw drivers and those who get into crowded places have to undergo Covid test once every 15 days.

City corporation commissioner, Akshy Sridhar, said in a release that those who violate these rules, will be penalised as per the Disaster Management Act.