Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Friday directed the state government, the Deputy Commissioner, and the Superintendent of Police of Chamarajangar district, not to interfere with the right of the devotees to participate in the on-going Mante Swamy Siddappaji Rachappaji Jatra at Chikkalaru in Kollegal Taluk.
The court passed the directions in an interim order after hearing the petition filed by Mante Swamy Prathistana and few others in connection with 600 years old fair, in which the devotees consume non-vegetarian food at saha pankthi bhojana, irrespective of caste, creed and religion.
The court in its interim order has observed, “If the customs and traditions permit, the devotees may consume non-vegetarian food, but without in anyway violating any provisions of the said two statutes and without hurting the religious sentiments of the co-devotees participating in the jatra.”
Earlier the state government had argued that the authorities are not objecting to the taking of non-vegetarian food; but to the animal sacrifices forbidden by the Karnataka Prevention of Animal Sacrifices Act, 1959.
However, the senior advocate for the petitioners submitted that the Division Bench of this Court has not issued any direction as such; writ petition is disposed of recording the submission of the additional government advocate that the provisions of the said statutes shall be strictly followed.
