The Muslim traders have been allegedly prohibited from installing their business stalls at a temple fair in Karnataka’s Mangaluru. The Street Vendors Association expressed their discontent over the situation and asked the government and district administration to look into the allegations made by Muslim vendors.
The religious fair, called ‘Shahsthi Mahotsava’ is scheduled between December 14 and 19 at the Kudupu Sri Anantha Padmanabha temple in Mangaluru city of Dakshina Kannada district. The temple is under the Muzrai department of the Karnataka government, which handles the accounts of the temples.
The Muslim traders who wanted to set up stalls at the temple fair were turned away by the temple authorities, who had already allocated the stalls, reported news agency IANS.
The vendors alleged that they were instructed to obtain stalls in the names of Hindus so that they could conduct their business. This has caused resentment among the Street Vendors Association, which has appealed to the government and the district administration to intervene. “The Muslim traders have not been permitted to do business during the fair,” the association said, quoted by IANS.
