Amid hijab row, Udupi temple bans Muslims from doing business on its premises

A temple in Udupi district of Karnataka, the epicenter of hijab controversy, has decided not to allow Muslims to do business on its premises during the annual temple festival. The management of Marigudi temple at Kapu took the decision following requests from certain pro-Hindu organizations.

Udupi has witnessed large-scale protests against the Karnataka High Court order upholding the ban of hijab in schools and colleges. The right wing organizations including Hindu Jagarana Vedike and Tulunadu Hindu Sena argued that the protests by Muslim outfits showed their disregard for the law of the land and the judicial system in India.

The annual festival at the Marigudi temple is being held on Tuesday and Wednesday. An official of the temple board confirmed to reporters that they have decided not to give the temple land on rent to people belonging to other religions following requests by some pro-Hindu organizations.

According to reports, the Tulunadu Hindu Sena even warned the temple authorities that they alone would be responsible for the problems if Muslims were allowed to open stalls on the temple premises.

Hindu Jagarana Vedike leader Prakash K. said: "Those who have no respect for our Gods, our religious places and follow a different faith should not do business during our religious festivals. This was the appeal by the Hindu community to the Marigudi temple management.”

"They (Muslims) don't have any respect for the law of the land and the High Court verdict. Hindu society should not give chance to such traitors to do business," he was further quoted as saying by PTI.

Reports said since the Marigudi festival is a big event in the Udupi district, a large number of Muslims traders in the area used to open stalls on the temple premises.

Hindu Jagarana Vedike, however, wants to expand the ban on Muslim traders to other parts of the state, too. Prakash said Muslims will not be allowed to do business in Ujire religious festival.

The high court on March 15 dismissed a batch of petitions filed by some girls from Udupi who had demanded that hijab be permitted inside the educational institutions where there is a uniform dress rule.

The court said hijab is not an essential religious practice and uniform dress rule should be followed. On March 17, Muslims on a call given by the Ameer-e-Shariat Maulana Sagir Ahmed Khan Rashdi, observed a bandh by shutting their shops and business establishments.