Parking of car triggers tension in Belur

Addehanumanthotsava affected for sometime at Channakeshava temple

Close on the heels of this incident, the car owner lodged a complaint with the local police. Based on the complaint, the police summoned the youths who were carrying the idol of Lord Hanuman in the palanquin, for questioning.

Agitated over this, the youths refused to carry the palanquin. So, many programmes, that were to be held as part of Rathotsava, got cancelled. The rituals were held after the parleys. Several programmes are being held as part of Rathotsava since April 7.

It has been a tradition to carry the palanquin by the members of Addegararu. Accordingly, the Nada Rathotsava was organised on Saturday. While they were holding the procession, a car belonged to a devotee of Vadiraja Mutt, Bangalore was found parked on the road.

Taking objection to the parking of the vehicles, some youths broke the glass panes of the car and also toppled it. After questioning by the cops, some youths claimed that a lady abused them. This became a reason for the Addegararu to stay away from all other rituals. Police Sub-Inspector Satyaranayan, Town Municipal Council President H M Dayanand, Executive Officer Ningaiah and others participated in the meeting.

The members of Temple Trust Committee contended that they would not hold utsavas unless the cops clear the procession route.

The SI said they will not allow any vehicle to be parked on that route. However, it was not correct to topple the vehicle for no reasons. The department would take action if such incidents occur again.

The car owner claimed that the attack on his vehicle was ‘pre-planned’. The occupants of the car were head, Research wing of ‘Discover Bangalore’ and a researcher. They had parked the car to get food for the kids. The attackers only targeted his car but not on others that had been parked on the route.