Mangaluru, Oct 27: After stern warning from saffron outfits such as Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Chief Whip of the government in State Legislative Council Ivan?D'Souza has decided to shift his proposed Bhavaikyata Deepavali's venue to the Gau?Raksha Hall at Kadri.
Earlier, Mr D'Souza had planned to celebrate the event at Abhisheka Mandira within the precincts of Kadri Manjunatha Swamy temple on October 29. VHP leaders had warned him against entering Hindu temple without converting to Hinduism.
VHP regional working president M B Puranik had said that programmes by members of other religion will affect the tradition of the temple and hurt the sentiments of Hindus. The High Court had directed not to print the name of former DC A B Ibrahim in the invitation for the fair of Mahalingeshwara temple in Puttur, Puranik had added.
District unit president Jagadeesh Shenoy said, “We will allow the programme, if the MLC claims himself to be a Hindu. If the programme is organised under the leadership of Ramanath Rai or local Corporator we will not oppose it.”
Mr D'Souza told reporters on Thursday, he had no intention of hurting the religious feelings of anybody by organising celebrations that included contests and distribution of benefits to the needy. Yet, the venue was changed to prevent any untoward incidents, as the people with vested interest want to create some problem. Clarifying that he supports religious tolerance, Ivan said that soon after he was appointed as the Chief Whip, he had offered obeisance to Manjunatha Swamy at Kadri temple.
He also said that the forthcoming programme was the result of suggestions that poured in during the Iftar party, where both Hindus and Christians had asked to celebrate Deepavali and Christmas together. Accordingly, a committee was formed to chalk out the programmes. The hall on the temple premises was also booked in advance by paying the rent.
Taking exception to the recent statement of VHP regional working president M?B?Puranik, the MLC reminded Puranik of his early days as a teacher at a Christian institution.
Mr D'Souza said, upset over the vituperative comments made by pro-Hindu activists ever since he announced the schedule of the programme, he had decided to call it off by cancelling the programme, but, changed his decision, in the interest of the beneficiaries.
Rice will be distributed to select beneficiaries. Contests like painting and arrangement of earthen lamps will be conducted as part of Deepavali.
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