Mohan Kuthar

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Sep 2: A new circle named the ‘Souharda Circle’ (Harmony Circle) has finally been constructed at Kuthar Junction, which had earlier become the centre of a controversy over the naming of the circle. Health minister U T Khader inaugurated the newly constructed Souharda Circle on Tuesday night.

In May, when a private university was constructing a circle at Kuthar Junction, a controversy erupted after objections were raised against naming it after Koragajja. Junaid of Madani Nagar and 10 of his associates had allegedly gheraoed then-local MLA and Assembly Speaker U T Khader and created a commotion. The incident had received widespread attention, and a case was also registered against the accused at Ullal police station.

Now, bringing an end to the controversy over the circle, the Souharda Circle has been constructed at Kuthar Junction. A replica of Koragajja’s traditional muttale (headgear) and dante (staff) has been installed as the crown of the circle. Direction signboards to Koragajja’s Adikshetra, Ranipura Church and Kundur Juma Masjid have also been installed at the circle.

Speaking after inaugurating the new Souharda Circle, Minister Khader said religious beliefs are not a weakness but the strength of this land. “The message of all religions is like medicine that heals another person’s physical wounds and pain in the mind,” he said.

He said a message of harmony should reach the entire country from Kuthar through the unveiling of the circle. “The development journey will not stop here. We will launch the widening of the Kuthar-Ambla Mogaru road tomorrow itself. For this, Rs 3 crore has also been allocated by the Public Works Department,” he said.

Khader said the Kuthar area would be developed in the future as a region of harmony and brotherhood. He also said that Koragajja’s shrine was one of the reasons for the number of tourists visiting Ullal increasing by 20%.

The event was attended by B Sridhar Shetty Maganathadi, hereditary managing trustee of the Kuthar Panjandaya, Bant, Vaidyanatha and Adi Koragathaniya Kshetra; M Mahabala Hegde Debbeli, vice-president of the Panjandaya Bant Vaidyanatha Adi Koragathaniya Seva Trust; prominent members Ratnakara Kava Kuthar Guttu, Rajanna Bolyaguttu and Padmanabha Shetty Genimane; Nitte Deemed-to-be University chancellor Vishal Hegde; public relations officer Hemanth Shetty; Kanachur Group of Institutions chairman Kanachur Monu; Madani Nagar Juma Masjid president Aziz; Ranipura Church priest Fr Eric Crasta; and Kuthar Sri Rajarajeshwari Kshetra president Pavithragatti, among others.