Bengaluru, March 23 : In order to keep a close watch on law and order situation, Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra on Wednesday sought reports on the barring of Muslim traders to set up stalls around temples in some parts of the state. “I read reports on Musilm traders not being allowed to set up stalls around the temples in the media. I have sought a report on this from police officials. Our responsibility in this regard is to keep a watch on the law and order situation arising from this development,” he told reporters here. “It is unfortunate that there are instances of action and reaction, because one section of the comm ty protested against the court order on hijab by shutting down their shops. Now these people (Hindus) are reacting to it. These are disturbing things. This has to be rectified by the society,” the minister clarified. Meanwhile, Managaluru Police Commissioner N Shashi Kumar said appropriate action would be taken against those who are erecting banners around Bappanadu Durga Parmeshwari Temple. Several temple authorities and fair committees have banned Muslim traders from setting up stalls around temples in the backdrop of protest against Karnataka High Court’s verdict on hijab. Many Muslim traders had shut their shops on March 17, protesting the Court’s verdict dismissing the pro-hijab petitions, noting that the headscarf is not an essential religious practice of Islam. The fair committee of the historic ‘Kote Marikamba Jatre’ in Shivamogga has given permission only to the Hindus to set up stalls during the five-day festival which began on March 22. BDN SHK1614
