Haveri: Desecration Of Place Of Worship In Shiggaon Sparks Row
The incident occurred at around 9.55 pm on August 20 at the place of worship near the tempo stand in Shiggaon: Police
HAVERI: A man was booked after he allegedly entered a place of worship in Shiggaon late on Thursday night and urinated in front of the deity, triggering protests and demands for strict action from local political and Hindu organisations.
According to the complaint filed with the police, the incident occurred at around 9.55 pm on August 20 at the place of worship near the tempo stand in Shiggaon. The complainant alleged that the accused, identified as Mohammed Zafar, entered the temple through the front gate and urinated in front of the idol despite knowing that it was a place of religious significance for Hindus.
The incident has sparked a political reaction in the town, with BJP leader Bharat Bommai condemning the alleged act and seeking a thorough investigation and stringent legal action against those responsible.
In a statement, Bommai said places of worship were sacred to every community and that any act intended to hurt religious sentiments should be condemned. He urged the authorities to investigate the incident and take action against the guilty.
He said Shiggaon had maintained communal harmony during the 17 years when former Chief Minister and MP Basavaraj Bommai represented the constituency as MLA, and expressed concern that incidents such as the latest one were bringing a bad name to the taluk.
-Bommai also questioned whether political support from leaders was giving some people the confidence to indulge in such acts.
“Hurting the sentiments of one community while claiming to respect another is not communal harmony. The law should be equal for everyone,” he said, questioning whether the belief that political leaders of the ruling Congress would eventually support them was encouraging such acts.
Meanwhile, Sri Rama Sene chief Pramod Muthalik visited the temple and strongly condemned the incident. He demanded a detailed investigation into the circumstances surrounding it and alleged that the incident was part of a series of incidents in Haveri district that had provoked Hindu sentiments.
Muthalik also announced a Shiggaon bandh on August 26, in protest against the incident.
Speaking to reporters, Muthalik demanded an investigation into whether the accused had acted alone. He also referred to other recent incidents in the district.
