Daijiworld Media Network – Sullia (SP)
Sullia, Nov 22: The historically famous annual cattle fair at Kulkunda adjacent to Subrahmanya, because of which the phrase, ‘Subrahmanya Jodi’ came to be coined, was inaugurated by Dakshina Kannada (DK) zilla panchayat (ZP) member, Venkat Dambekody on Sunday November 21. The fair is being organized by Subrahmanya gram panchayat in association with the animal husbandry and veterinary department of DK ZP. The inaugural was presided by local MLA, S Angara.
On thes occasion, Dambekody lamented the fact that several cattle sold at the fair are being taken to slaughter houses, although preventive measures have been taken to regulate this practice.
Guttigar Rubber Growers Cooperative Society president, Nityananda Mundody, released the gate passes for the transportation of cattle. Taluk panchayat member, Monappa Poojary, distributed prizes for the cattle adjudged as the best. Assistant director of animal husbandry department, Dr Rajanna, and Subrahmnaya police station sub-inspector, Ramachandra, conveyed their best wishes.
Puttur division of Vishwa Hindu Parishat and hundreds of Bajrang Dal activists took out a ‘Kulkunda Chalo’ march on Sunday, demanding to take steps to change the mode of organizing this fair, and to maintain the sanctity of the fair. They also held a protest meeting at Subrahmanya. Several leaders addressed this meeting. After the members raised slogans against the local panchayat and the policemen, no cattle transportation from the fair could be possible till late evening on Sunday.
District convener of Bajrang Dal, Sharan Pumpwell, addressing a press conference later, said that no local bodies have the power to organize cattle fairs, except Agriculture Produce Market Committees. He said that the cattle fair organized by Subrahmanya gram panchayat was, therefore, illegal. Noting that the temple here has nothing to do with this fair, he asserted that his organization’s main ire was against transportation of cattle from here to slaughter houses rather than for agricultural purposes. He said they have no problem if the fair is held justifiably and lawfully.