Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Jan 9: Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal on Tuesday, January 9, condemned Kollur temple for providing food for the people who had gathered at Congress 'Sadhana Samavesha' organized during the visit of the chief minister on January 8 in Byndoor Assembly constituency.
Addressing a press meet here, district president of VHP Vilas Nayak said, "How did the temple management agree to supply food for the government programme? During three days of Dharma Sansad organized by VHP and Bajrang Dal, we had requested the temple management to cater food for thousands of seers and saints who came from across the nation. But they refused. Hundreds of chefs were appointed overnight to prepare food for the government programme on January 7. Kollur temple people did not cooperate with us during Dharma Sansad.
"The state government is involved in this. They must have advised the temple authorities against providing us food for the religious programme," he alleged.
"The Congress government also cancelled midday meals to Shree Rama Vidya Kendra to which food is supplied from Kollur temple. Chief minister Siddaramaiah played politics in providing midday meal to that school. He must take a look at the students. Such cases are taking place repeatedly in the state which shows the CM’s anti-Hindu policy.
"We came to know about the donation of Rs one lac that CM had remitted to Kollur temple to meet the expenses. The police department has to conduct a detailed investigation and the CM should give clarification on that amount.
"It was not 'Sadhana Samavesha’, but a Congress based programme. Congress’ flags were put up all around the city. Dharma Sansad was a huge programme and a center of attraction for all other states. But Kollur temple management refused to provide us food," said Vilas Nayak.
Answering a query he said, "BJP flags were never put up during the Dharma Sansad. Even political leaders at the programme did not speak about politics. The food to the programme was supplied by Sri Krishna Math.
"'Sadhana Samavesha’ should have been a government programme, but it looked like a Congress (party) oriented programme," he said.
On allegations of district in-charge minister Pramod Madhwaraj not being invited to Dharma Sansad, Vilas Nayak said, "I have enough proof. I had asked his appointment, but was not able to meet him personally. I kept the invitation at his office. I even invited the city municipal council president."
Dinesh Mendon, convener of Bajrang Dal, Sunil K R, divisional convenor and Santhosh Suvarna of VHP were present.