Virajpet/Madikeri: Protests erupted across Kodagu district on Monday as members of the Kodava community blocked roads in several locations and held protests, including Virajpet, Hudukeri, B Shettigeri, Ponnampet and Napoklu. The unrest stems from an alleged growing dispute between two communities over a dress code issue related to temple entry in the region.
The tensions began on December 28 when the authorities of the Maha Mruthyunjaya Temple in S. Kattemadu village, Madikeri taluk, barred locals dressed in traditional Kodava attire from entering the temple. The temple management cited bylaws that required devotees to wear dhotis. This decision sparked a heated exchange between the Kodava community members, who saw the action as an affront to their cultural identity.
The situation quickly escalated, prompting the district administration to enforce prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in S. Kattemadu village, effective until January 2, 2025. The orders prohibit rallies, processions, and chanting of provocative slogans within a 5-km radius of the temple. The police have also ramped up security in the area, deploying additional forces to prevent further violence.
Political figures have weighed in on the matter. MLA A.S. Ponnanna, who is a legal adviser to the Chief Minister, suggested revising the temple’s dress code bylaws. Mysuru MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar called for a peaceful resolution to the dispute, while Madikeri MLA Manthar Gowda urged the community to avoid divisive narratives.
As protests continue, security measures remain in place to restore calm and ensure the safety of all parties involved in the district by police and district administration.
Report By: Annira Harish Madappa, Mohan Devaiah Ballimada & The Kodagu Express Bureau
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