Puttur temple invitation row: Shakuntala Shetty takes U-Turn

Mangalore Today News Network

Puttur, March 17, 2016 : Puttur Legislator Shakuntala Shetty who was strongly against the printing of the name of Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim in the invitation card of the Car Festival of Puttur Mahalingeshwara Temple, has now  taken  a U-turn and has said that  fresh invitation cards would be printed  provided there is a court directive in this regard to the temple.

The Legislator had earlier spoken tough and had said that names of non-Hindus were not allowed in the temple invitation card. She also had stated that she would print fresh invitations at her own cost. As some organisations have taken the issue to the court, the MLA  has now reportedly softened her stance.

However, a meeting convened in the temple premises by some Hindutva organisations have  re-iterated that the invitations need to be reprinted  after deleting  the name of the Deputy Commissioner. It was also decided to stage a Rasta Roko agitation on March 19   and subsequently a bundh if the administration failed to heed to the demand.

Rajesh Bannur, Councillor who was present  in the meeting  was critical of the DC  who  justified his name in the invitation card. Muralidhar Hasantadka  and others were present.

However, a meeting held on Wednesday to discuss the arrangements being made for the festival has reportedly not discussed the invitation issue, according to Temple Executive Officer Jagadish.