Puttur: Temple invite without Muslim DC's name distributed

Mangaluru, Apr 2: As per the direction of Karnataka High Court, the administration of Mahalingehwara Temple at Puttur re-printed the invitation cards of its annual jatra mahotsava without the name of Deputy Commissioner AB Ibrahim and started distributing them. The festival of the temple will start on April 10.

The new cards were printed in the name of Administrator, Executive Officer and priests. Additional Deputy Commissioner Kumar, who is discharging duty as Deputy Commissioner of Endowment, said that arrangements are in place for the smooth conduct of the festival.

Several Hindutva groups including Vishwa Hindu Parishad had strongly opposed the government move to print the name of a Muslim DC on the invitation card for the temple festival. They claimed that the move was contrary to Section 7 of the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act.

Later a writ petition was filed in HC, which was followed by public interest litigation petition, challenging Mr. Ibrahim's name on the invitation card. The State government initially defended Mr. Ibrahim's name on the invitation card saying that it was as per protocol as the temple was managed by the Muzrai department.

The government then submitted in the High Court that it was its mistake to have included the name of Mr. Ibrahim in the invitation card. The High Court in its March 30 order asked the government to print additional invitation cards without the name of the Deputy Commissioner on them.