Hindu organisations oppose Quran recital at religious fair

The Hassan district administration has beefed up security in view of the development ahead of the religious fair on April 4

In a move to polarise votes ahead of the Karnataka Assembly elections in May, Hindu activists have opposed the ritual of reciting the Quran during the historical Chennakeshava Rathotsava in Beluru town of Hassan district. The Hindu organisations have demanded that the age-old ritual should be discontinued as it was against their (Hindu) religion.

They have called for a bandh on Tuesday in this regard. The Hassan district administration has beefed up security in view of the development ahead of the religious fair on April 4.

Despite opposition from Hindu activists, the Quran recital tradition was carried out during the religious fair last year. Last year, the administrator of the temple had sought a clarification from the Muzrai department over the issue. The Commissioner of Muzrai Department had given green signal for the continuation of the ritual.

The Commissioner had stated that according to Section 58 of the Hindu Religious Act 2002, there should not be any interference in the rituals and traditions of the temple.

However, the Hindu activists say that the practice was introduced in 1932 and wondered if it was possible to recite Hindu prayers at mosques and dargahs. They claim that the ritual was forced upon Hindus as a part of appeasement politics.

The 12th-century Beluru Chennakeshava temple is considered to be a marvel and was built over three generations and took 103 years to complete.