Belthangady MLA Harish Poonja in midst of a palanquin row

Belthangady MLA Harish Poonja in midst of a palanquin row

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Nov 25, 2021: A controversy has erupted after Belthangady MLA Harish Poonja lent shoulder  to the palanquin of the Lord during the Laksha Deepotsava procession of Shree Venkataramana Swamy Temple at Laila village of Belthangady taluk on November 19.

 

It is said the Legislator lent shoulder to the Palanquin bowing to the pressure of two youth of the GSB community who were among those present there. Meanwhile, it has been gathered that GSB community leaders had cleansed the  palanquin  claiming that its sanctity was  harmed.

It may be recalled here the MLA had also posted a video of him  lending shoulder to the palanquin. As the video went viral, it reportedly displeased some GSB members  who observed that palanquin bearers have to follow certain norms.

 It has also been gathered that  the GSB leaders have even taken to task the youth who had coaxed Poonja to lend shoulder to the Palanquin.

Reacting to the developments, GSB community leaders while admitting that there arose some confusion, have stated that the issue was resolved by doing Parihara and also that there was no need for any debate on the issue.