Church-goers in Mangalore told to 'cover up'

[email protected] (STANLEY G PINTO for Times of India )

November 24, 2011

Mangalore, November 24: Some churches in the Mangalore diocese have barred devotees from wearing sleeveless dresses, T-shirts with cheeky messages and short skirts saying it would distract other devotees.

Fr Victor Machado, parish priest, Bejai Church, said, "We expect the devout who come to church to be dressed decently. It's a place of worship and not a party hall or place to display the latest fashion. We expect worshippers not be distracted by others dressed immodestly."

He added, "We see people take extra care to dress when they attend a function. Why this disregard when they come to the house of god?" His decision has been seconded by parish council Fr William Menezes, PRO, Bishop's House. and the bishop of Mangalore diocese Rev Aloysius Paul D'Souza, who has been vocal about showing less skin in church.

The dress code, however, could alienate the young, whom churches around the world are trying to keep on hallowed grounds. "When our parents don't object to our dresses, who is the clergy to tell us?" questions college-goer Neetha.

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Mangaluru–Kasaragod bus fare rolled back after Kerala protests force NHAI to shut Arikkady toll plaza

coastaldigest.com news network

February 5,2026

Mangaluru: The KSRTC Mangaluru division has rolled back the fare hike on buses operating on the Mangaluru–Kasaragod route following the suspension of toll collection at the Arikkady toll plaza near Kumbala in Kasaragod district.

The fare revision had been implemented after the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) began toll collection at the Arikkady plaza on NH-66. As a result, fares for ordinary and Rajahamsa services were increased by ₹7 and ₹10, respectively, raising the bus fare from Mangaluru to Kasaragod from ₹81 to ₹88.

Senior Divisional Controller of KSRTC’s Mangaluru division, Rajesh Shetty, said the fares were reduced after toll collection at the Arikkady plaza was stopped. “The tollgate began operations on January 13, and the toll amount was deducted from the FASTag accounts of KSRTC buses operating on the route. Following an order from the central government to suspend toll collection, KSRTC has also withdrawn the additional fare with immediate effect,” he said.

At present, vehicles travelling on the Mangaluru–Kasaragod route pay toll only at the Talapady toll plaza. The toll for light motor vehicles (LMVs) at Talapady is ₹80 for a same-day return, while heavy vehicles, including buses, are charged ₹250. At Arikkady, the toll rates were ₹130 for LMVs (same-day return) and ₹450 for buses.

Protests against Arikkady toll plaza

The Arikkady toll plaza witnessed widespread protests from January 12, the day toll collection commenced. On the second day, an action committee led by Manjeshwar MLA A K M Ashraf launched an indefinite protest at the site. Except for the BJP, leaders and workers of most major political parties participated in the agitation.

On the night of January 14, a large number of protesters gathered at the plaza and vandalised property, following which authorities temporarily suspended toll operations. The BJP later also expressed opposition to the toll plaza and criticised NHAI’s decision.

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