Mangaluru: Temple restricts sound after complaint by Christian neighbour; saffron outfits protest

Mangaluru, Dec 24: A group of leaders and activists of saffron outfits such as Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal on Saturday gathered at Kadri Sri Manjunatha temple to protest the action of authorities to contain ‘sound pollution’ following a complaint by a few Christian neighbours.

They demanded the immediate withdrawal of the restrictions limiting the sound of various programmes on the temple premises. “There should not be any double standards by the government. If restrictions on sound are to be clamped, it should be across all communities,” said VHP district president Jagadish Shenava.

Blanny D’Souza, a resident of an apartment near the temple, and eight others had petitioned the Deputy Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner (Endowment) in August 2016 seeking restriction on sound system on the temple premises for overnight programmes , including annual temple fair, mosaru kudike, Yakshagana and Nema (a ritual).

With no action from authorities, Mr. D’Souza made similar complaints to the Mayor and City Police Commissioner during the first week of December. Following these complaints, the Endowment Department limited the sound within the temple premises, including for two Yakshagana programmes.

Meanwhile, Varadaraja Baliga, one of the signatories, accused Mr D’Souza of misusing his signature and filed a police complaint. “I do not have any problem with the sound at night. My signature has been misused by Mr. D’Souza for a complaint that is politically motivated,” he complained.