Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Sep 10: A massive Janagraha meeting was held at Goraksha Jnana Mandir near Kadri Park, Mangaluru, on Tuesday under the leadership of the Tulu Nadu Religious and Cultural Heritage Protection Committee, supported by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). The gathering voiced strong opposition to the district administration’s restrictions on the use of loudspeakers during religious and cultural events such as Yakshagana and dramas, as well as the directive that all programmes must conclude before 10 pm.
Speaking on the occasion, Srihari Narayanadasa Asranna of Sri Kshetra Kateel emphasized that Hindu tradition gives special importance to night-long religious observances. He noted that worship of deities, Daiva rituals, Yakshagana, and dramas are deeply rooted in people’s beliefs and usually take place at night. “Any restrictions on these will hurt religious sentiments, and the consequences could be serious,” he warned.
The meeting was presided over by Dr M B Puranik, VHP state executive committee member. MLA Umanath Kotian, Bhagavatha Patla Satish Shetty, actor Devadas Kapikad, director Vijay Kumar Kodialbail, RSS regional co-secretary P S Prakash, Sound Owners’ Association president Dhanaraj Shetty, and representatives of various organizations were present.
MLA D Vedavyas Kamath assured that a meeting with the deputy commissioner, police officials, and artists will be held in the coming days to address the inconvenience caused by the district’s order. “If needed, artists will also be taken to Bengaluru to meet the chief minister and the home minister. I am willing to resign as MLA, but I will not give up on protecting our religious faith,” he declared.
MLA Dr Y Bharath Shetty said the order has affected around 3,000 people connected to cultural and religious activities in the district. “Organizers are forced to carry out rituals in fear instead of devotion. If the government does not respond, we will take to the streets,” he warned.
MLA Rajesh Naik Ulipady added, “The economy of Dakshina Kannada thrives on religious activities. The suffering of artists is the suffering of the people. The state government must listen to their appeal.”
MLA Bhagirathi Murulya questioned, “Why is such a rule enforced only here? Our people must encourage their children to become IAS and IPS officers so that officials with no knowledge of our culture do not impose such problems on us.”
The committee submitted a memorandum to the state chief secretary through the MLAs, urging the government to lift restrictions on loudspeakers and permissions for public performances during religious and cultural programs, including Yakshagana, dramas, Daiva rituals, and Bharatanatyam. They also appealed for relaxation of rules during the upcoming 12-day Dasara festival.
Thousands of people associated with different fields — Yakshagana and theatre artistes, technicians, Daiva performers, workers, sound and light operators, shamiana contractors, flower decorators, caterers, and street vendors — attended the meeting. It was unanimously resolved that no restrictions should be imposed on Tulu Nadu’s age-old religious and cultural traditions and that a united, apolitical struggle will be launched if necessary.
The gathering was attended by Kishore D Shetty of Rangabhoomi, Aravind Bolar, Bhojaraj Vamanjoor, Bhaskarachandra Shetty, Dr Ashajyoti Rai, Polali Giriprakash Tantri, Madhu Bangera Kalladka, Krishnakumar Manjeshwar, Chandrashekar Shetty, Babu K Vitla, Lakshman Kumar Mallur, Ashok Shetty Sarapady, Kiran Kumar Jogi, Annu Poojari, Tushar Suresh, Gokul Kadri, Jagannath Shetty Talippadi, and others.
The resolution was proposed by VHP regional joint secretary Sharan Pumpwell. District president H K Purushottam delivered the welcome, divisional joint secretary Shivananda Mendan read the memorandum, and Madhuraj compered the event.