DC and Ramanath Rai need not teach us to be tolerant: MB Puranik

DC and Ramanath Rai need not teach us to be tolerant: MB Puranik

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore Mar 28, 2016:"Deputy Commissioner AB Ibrahim and District In charge Minister Ramanath Rai need not teach us to be tolerant," said District Working President of VHP M.B. Puranik..

Speaking to the Press at Hotel Wood Lands on Monday March 28, in the wake of the Puttur Mahalingeshwara Temple invitation row, Puranik alleged that the DC has violated the Endowment Act 1997 which clearly states that non-Hindus should not be allowed to manage temple administration.

Referring to the statement of the DC that his name was printed merely for the sake of ’formality’ Puranik alleged that the DC was trying to divert the attention of the people. "The DC  has no right to involve in any Hindu religious festivals  as he is not a believer of Hinduism," Puranik said.

"The people too are opposed to the inclusion of the DC’s name in the temple invitation," he said adding that as per  the protocol, names of only people’s representatives names can be mentioned. "This programme is not a government programme but a programme by the Hindu community," said Puranik.

"This is not the first instance wherein the DC has violated the law. Earlier his name  had appeared in Kukke Subrahmanya Temple festival invitation. As per the law DC need to be punished," Puranik demanded.

He also demanded that the DC’s name be deleted from the Mahalingeshwara Temple invitation and fresh invitations  printed immediately.

Sharan Pumpwell, Dinesh Pai and others were present.