Mangaluru
A forum of traders, who conduct business on festival grounds, have urged the district administration to intervene and take action against the ban on merchants belonging to a particular religion during temple fairs.
Dakshina Kannada and Udupi District Festival Traders Coordination Committee has submitted a memorandum in this regard to the Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada through Additional Deputy Commissioner G Santhosh Kumar, even as the city is all set to celebrate Navaratri festival from October 15.
Committee Honorary President Sunil Kumar Bajal stated in a memorandum that Muslim traders are not allowed to conduct business during Hindu festival fairs.
Muslim traders were given space to conduct business during the Navaratri festival at Sri Mangaladevi Temple in the city every year. While the festival will be held at the temple this year from October 15 to 24, Muslim traders have been denied space to conduct business. It has affected a large number of merchants, who depend only on festival fairs for their livelihood. Their right to life is being snatched away, Sunil stated.
He also said that an attempt has been made to divide society in the name of religion. Poor festival traders are being targeted and this also leads to a communal divide. Hence, the district administration should take steps to allow merchants from all communities to conduct business during festivals, he urged.
Merchants also urged the City Corporation authorities to take necessary action in this regard.During festivals, stalls for the fairs are set up in the properties that belong to the MCC in many temples. However, the contractors have been charging huge amounts from merchants directly, Sunil said.
