Mangaluru: Outrage over restrictions on religious and cultural events, public meeting held
Mangalore Today News Network
Mangaluru, Sep 10, 2025: A large Janagaraha meeting was held in Mangaluru on Tuesday against the district administration’s restrictions on religious and cultural programmes. The rules prohibit the use of loudspeakers during Yakshagana, plays, and other cultural activities, and require all events to end before 10 pm. The meeting, organised under the leadership of the Tulu Nadu Religious and Cultural Heritage Protection Committee with the support of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, was held at the Goraksha Jnana Mandir near Kadri Park.
Tradition and faith cannot be disturbed: Asranna
Speaking at the event, Srihari Narayanadasa Asranna of Sri Kshetra Kateel said that night-long programmes hold deep significance in Hindu tradition. Practices like Daiva worship, temple festivals, Yakshagana, and dramas are part of faith and long-standing custom. “These are not mere performances but acts of devotion. Hurting such beliefs can have severe consequences,” he cautioned.
Leaders and artists unite
The meeting was presided over by VHP state executive member Dr M. B. Puranik. Others present included MLA Umanath Kotian, Bhagavatha Patla Satish Shetty, actor Devadas Kapikad, director Vijay Kumar Kodialbail, RSS functionary P. S. Prakash, Sound Owners’ Association president Dhanaraj Shetty, and several organisation representatives.
MLAs assure support
Mangaluru South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath assured that a meeting would soon be held with the Deputy Commissioner and police to explain the cultural importance of such events. He also promised to take artistes to Bengaluru to meet the Chief Minister and Home Minister. “If needed, I will give up my MLA seat, but I will never give up our religious faith,” Kamath declared.
Other MLAs also extended support.
MLA Dr Y Bharath Shetty said around 3,000 people dependent on cultural and religious activities were in distress due to the rules. “If the government does not respond, we will be forced to take to the streets,” he warned.
MLA Rajesh Nayak Ullippady pointed out that the district’s economy is tied to religious activities, noting: “The pain of artistes is the pain of the entire district.”
MLA Bhagirathi Murulya questioned why such restrictions were applied only in Dakshina Kannada and urged local youth to become IAS and IPS officers to prevent such issues caused by “officials lacking cultural understanding.”
Demand for government intervention
The Committee resolved to submit a memorandum to the Chief Secretary through the MLAs, demanding that traditional programmes like Yakshagana, Daiva Nema, Bharatanatyam, and other events be allowed without restrictions on sound systems. They also demanded relaxation of restrictions during the upcoming Dasara festival for at least 12 days.
Thousands join protest
Thousands connected to the cultural ecosystem—Yakshagana artistes, theatre troupes, Daiva performers, technicians, light and sound workers, shamiana and flower decorators, caterers, and vendors—participated in the meeting. A collective resolution was passed to resist the restrictions and to organise a non-political struggle to protect Tulu Nadu’s religious and cultural heritage.
Notable cultural figures present included Kishore D Shetty, Aravind Bolar, Bhojaraj Vamanjoor, Bhaskarachandra Shetty, Dr Ashajyothi Rai, Polali Giriprakash Tantri, Madhu Bangera Kalladka, Krishnakumar Manjeshwar, Chandrashekar Shetty, Babu K Vittla, Lakshman Kumar Mallur, Ashok Shetty Sarapadi, Kiran Kumar Jogi, Annu Poojari, Tushar Suresh, Gokul Kadri, and Jagannath Shetty.
The resolution was presented by VHP state joint secretary Sharan Pumpwell. District president H. K. Purushotham welcomed the gathering, while secretary Shivananda Mendon read out the memorandum. Madhuraj anchored the programme.