Hindu activists want Muslim vendors out of Gadag fair
GADAG: The Pahalgam terror attack has cast a shadow on the Gadag's Tontadarya fair, which is famous for its communal harmony. Activists from Hindu organisations on Saturday staged a protest, demanding that Muslim vendors be thrown out of the fair that started on April 13.
They warned that if the vendors from the minority community are not sent out immediately, they will intensify the protest.
Activists from Sri Ram Sene and other organisations said terrorists in Kashmir asked the religion of tourists before killing them. 'Here, we will ask the religion of vendors and throw them out of the fair,' they added.
Some mutt devotees said the fair is to showcase communal harmony and everybody will be given an opportunity. 'If that is the case, the organisers will have to face a difficult situation,' the protesters warned. With the threat, the police are keeping a tighter vigil at the fair.
This is one of the important fairs in Gadag, organised by the Tontadarya Mutt, and it is on till May 13. This time, the number of stalls put up by Muslims is more. The mutt, which is famous for communal harmony, invites vendors from other religions too for the fair.
A Sri Ram Sene leader said, 'For the last ten years, we have been asking the fair committee to allow only Hindus to put up businesses. This time, we are planning to go for more intense steps. If the fair committee does not decide, we warn that we will pull out Muslim vendors and throw them out.'
Mutt authorities, however, have not commented or answered to these protests. They may come up with a decision after meeting with the jatra committee under the guidance of the seer, Siddaram.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Political row brews over Bakrid holiday in Kerala
The Kerala government's decision to change Bakrid holiday triggered a political row in the State on Friday (June 6, 2025) with the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) accusing it of attempting to implement "communal agenda and fascism" in the State. Originally, Friday (June 6) was marked as holiday for Bakrid. However, following the reports that the festival would be celebrated on Saturday across the State, on Thursday, the Kerala government announced that Saturday, June 7, will be a public holiday for Bakrid. As per the change, government also declared that June 6 (Friday) would be a regular working day. Officials, in a statement, said the change was made to ensure the holiday aligns with the actual date of celebration observed by the people. However, IUML and a few Muslim outfits criticised the government's move to change the holiday. Responding to these criticisms, the government on Thursday night, announced that all educational institutions, including professional colleges, would be closed on Friday. However, it failed to pacify the ruffled feathers. IUML, the second largest coalition partner in the Congress-led UDF, said though Friday was declared a public holiday earlier, the Left government cancelled it for no reason. The government's act was amounted to provoke the minority community, senior IUML leader P.M.A Salam charged. "The Left (government) is attempting to implement more communalism and fascism than the BJP and the Sangh Parivar in the State," he alleged in a TV channel. However, General Education Minister V. Sivankutty strongly rejected the charges and said the government had shown reluctance in changing the holiday. He said the government took only some time to think and take a decision as there was change in the festival schedule. "After consulting with the Chief Minister, Friday was declared a holiday by 7.30 pm on Thursday. There is no need for any sorrow or protest on that. However, the opposition is trying to take political mileage over the matter," Mr. Sivankutty told reporters here. He also accused the Opposition of 'politicising even trivial matters.' CPI(M) leader and the party candidate in Nilambur bypoll, M. Swaraj, also shared similar views and said such controversies do not deserve even a reply. He alleged that the row over the holiday on account of the Muslim community's festival was an attempt to mislead the ongoing campaign for the June 19 bypoll. "An election is generally an occasion or platform to discuss healthy and democratic debates, discussions on development and the policies of the government but the opposition has been trying to mislead it and mix up communal venom in it since the beginning," he told reporters in Malappuram. He also accused the Congress-UDF of trying to create controversies out of void.
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
Rajya Sabha Polls: Kamal Haasan, P Wilson Among Candidates As DMK, AIADMK File Nominations
Quick Read Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed. Candidates from DMK and AIADMK, including Kamal Haasan, filed nominations for Tamil Nadu's Rajya Sabha elections. DMK's nominees focus on social representation, while tensions rise within AIADMK over seat allocations amid upcoming elections. Chennai: In a significant political development, candidates from both the ruling DMK and opposition AIADMK - including actor-politician Kamal Haasan - filed their nominations today for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections from Tamil Nadu. The DMK has fielded four candidates, with sitting MP and senior advocate P Wilson nominated for a second term. Internationally acclaimed poet Rokiah Malik, popularly known as Salma, and former MLA Sivalingam from Salem have also been nominated. As part of its alliance with Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), the DMK has allotted one Rajya Sabha seat to Kamal Haasan, marking his formal elevation to the upper house of Parliament. The choices are aimed at the 2026 assembly elections. Two of the DMK's nominees come from minority communities - Wilson, a Christian, is well known for securing major legal wins for the party, including orders enabling the burial of former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi along Marina Beach and the recent court ruling limiting gubernatorial interference in state affairs. Salma, from the Muslim community, is a celebrated feminist writer and literary figure, whose nomination underscores the DMK's continued focus on social representation. Sivalingam, the third DMK candidate, is from the AIADMK-dominated western belt, and is seen as a strategic choice aimed at strengthening the party's foothold in that region - particularly after the DMK managed to win only one of the eleven assembly seats in Salem, in 2021. Kamal Haasan's nomination comes as part of the DMK-MNM alliance that was formalised ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Responding to criticism for aligning with the DMK - a party he once vocally opposed - Haasan said, "This is the need of the hour," citing the importance of uniting opposition forces against the BJP. Meanwhile, the AIADMK has named two candidates - Inbadurai, the head of its legal wing and a Christian from the influential Nadar community in southern Tamil Nadu and M Dhanapal, a former MLA from a Scheduled Caste background. However, tensions appear to be simmering within the AIADMK-led alliance. The DMDK, led by Premalatha Vijayakanth, has expressed discontent over being denied a Rajya Sabha seat, despite claiming it was assured one. While AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami dismissed speculation, insisting "all is fine," Premalatha hinted at uncertainty, stating the DMDK would announce its alliance decision "later."
United News of India
2 hours ago
- United News of India
Saudi Arabia deploys Patriot missile system around Mecca
Mecca, June 6 (UNI) Saudi Arabia has implemented strict security measures for Hajj, including deploying the US-made Patriot missile defence system around Mecca. The Saudi Ministry of Defence has released images of the special security arrangements on X, showing the Patriot missile system deployed in the vicinity of Mecca, to ensure the safety of pilgrims. Another post shows a military helicopter conducting aerial surveillance over the area. The Saudi authorities said these measures aim to guarantee the protection of pilgrims, especially this year when millions of Muslims are to visit Saudi Arabia for their spiritual journey during Hajj. The Patriot missile system is based on the latest technology and is designed to counter ballistic missiles, drones, and other aerial threats. Saudi officials have emphasised that the safety of pilgrims is their top priority, and have taken all possible measures to provide a secure environment for pilgrims to perform their spiritual duties. Saudi Arabia has also intensified the enforcement of Hajj permit regulations this year, barring individuals without official permits from entering Mecca. The Ministry of Interior confirmed that security forces had been deployed across all key access points to Mecca to prevent unauthorised individuals from entering the city in the days leading up to Hajj. The intensified measures come in response to longstanding concerns over the strain placed on infrastructure and essential services by unauthorised pilgrims, Arab News said. The Ministry of Interior has repeatedly said that individuals caught attempting to perform Hajj with no valid Hajj permit will face a fine of SR20,000 with enforcement in effect from April 29 to June 10. Authorities reported the dismantling of 252 fake Hajj campaigns, the arrest of 1,239 illegal transporters, and the return of 269,678 non-residents of Makkah, 75,943 unauthorised pilgrims and 109,632 vehicles. An additional 11,610 individuals were found violating residency, labor and border laws. UNI ANV PRS
